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THE J? 

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ILIAD OF HOMER, 

TEANSLATED INTO 

ENGLISH PROSE, 

AS LITERALLY AS THE 

DIFFERENT IDIOMS OF.THE'GBEEK AND ENGLISH LANGUAGES 
WILL ALLOW; 

• 'tittl * 

with 

EXPLANATORY NOTES. 



BY A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. 



FIRST AMERICAN, 
FROM THE FOURTH LONDON EDITION, 

THOROUGHLY REVISED AND CORRECTED: WITH ADDITIONAL NOTES. 



PRINCETON: 

PUBLISHED BY GEORGE THOMPSON, 

1847. 



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6 



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PREFACE. 



It has been remarked by an able writer in our language, that 
it is the business of a translator to convey the general meaning 
of his author, rather than to give an exact interpretation of 
every word and phrase in the original. This maxim, when 
applied to books of science, and even to history and poetry, is, 
in general, certainly correct. No science can be taught without 
the use of technical terms to a greater or less extent, and there 
are no two languages, whether living or dead, that will admit of 
those terms being literally translated from the one into the 
other. This of itself will necessarily occasion a certain degree 
of freedom in the translation j but, independent of this, it will be 
found utterly impossible to give, at once, a translation, perfectly 
literal, of even the common expressions employed by a scientific 
writer, and, at the same time, to convey any thing like his gen- 
eral meaning to the mind of the reader. Let us take for 
example any of the treatises of Aristotle— his Ethics, or hi§ 
Rhetoric. Can any man suppose himself competent to give a 
literal, and, at the same time, a fair translation of either of 
these works? If he does, he will find himself mistaken. To 
the person who understands Greek, the translation would be 
infinitely more difficult to be understood than the original; 
whereas to the mere English reader, it would either be unin- 
telligible, or express a meaning very different from that which 
was intended bv the author. 



iv PREFACE. 

In history, again, although there is not the same absolute 
necessity, for a freedom of translation, still it is generally useful, 
and always ornamental. No man would sit down to translate 
such books as the histories of Thucydides and Herodotus for the 
mere purpose of assisting the student in Greek. He would 
write for the instruction and amusement of society at large> 
particularly of that portion of it which is unacquainted with 
the learned languages ; and his object would be more completely 
attained by a free^ than by a literal translation ; — by making the 
author express himself in such terms, as, from the nature of his 
Greek style, we have reason to infer that he would have em- 
ployed, had the language of the translation been his vernacular 
tongue. 

It is equally impossible, by literal translations, to convey to 
the mere English or French reader a correct feeling of the 
beauties of Greek or Roman poetry : and very difficult to do 
so by any translation, however free and however spirited. To 
accomplish this object, it would not be sufficient to make the 
ancient poet express himself in such a manner as we may sup- 
pose he would have done had he been an Englishman or French- 
man of the present age. It would be necessary to employ that 
phraseology which we have reason to suppose such a poet would 
have employed, had he been an Englishman or Frenchman of 
the age, which, in the progress of modern society and literature, 
we consider as analogous to the age in which he lived, in the 
progress of Greek or Roman society and literature. If for 
instance, we consider the present age of English literature as 
analogous to that of Plato and Xenophon in Greece, to give a 
correct view of Homer's poetry, it will be necessary to exhibit 
it in a more antique phraseology than that of Pope, or even of 
Dryden. 

By these reflections it is not intended to throw a greater 



PREFACE. v 

odium on literal translations than that which is already attached 
to them ; for they may be made for other purposes than to 
teach mere modern scholars ancient history, ancient science, or 
the beauties and expression of ancient poetry. They may be 
made to assist the student in the acquisition of ancient lan- 
guages ; and in their defence, when this is their object, a few 
observations shall now be offered, on the fairness or unfairness 
of which the candid reader must decide. 

There is nothing more common, among a certain class of 
scholars, than to cry out with vehemence against every literal 
translation. It induces young men, say they, to be idle ; they 
trust entirely to the labours of another ; they get up a book by 
rote: and their advancement in learning is consequently in- 
jured. But to such men a few circumstances may be stated, to 
which, though it is hardly to be supposed that they have never 
thought of them, they cannot have paid sufficient attention. 
In the first place, no young man who is capable of being in- 
jured by a translation, will be injured by it. The youth of 
aspiring mind and good talents, who looks forward to the period 
when he may take a lofty station in the republic of letters, will 
never deign to be altogether dependent upon another. Even 
with the translation before him he will never trust to it, but 
reserve it as something to be applied to, when the intricacy of 
arrangement, or some other cause, renders his Lexicon and 
Grammar insufficient to extricate him from a difficulty. As- he 
advances in his knowledge of the language, the translation will 
cease to be at all useful to him, and the danger which was so 
greatly dreaded, will be found to have been a mere phantom of 
the imagination. In the next place, the youth whose talents 
are such as to render every foreign aid acceptable in assisting 
him in the acquisition of as much learning as may serve an im- 
mediate purpose, may be benefited, but cannot be injured by a 



vi PREFACE. 

literal translation. Such a youth will not toil, cannot indeed 
be expected to toil, day after day, and week after week, in the 
vain attempt to understand what appears to him to be utterly 
ncomprehensible. If possessed of money sufficient for the pur- 
pose, he will undoubtedly apply to a private tutor, possessed of 
patience sufficient to read the lessen over and over till some*" 
thing like a shadow of its meaning be left upon the pupil's 
memory. And of what importance is it whether such a youth 
be instructed by a dead, or by a living tutor ? In many cases 
the youth is perhaps poor, and cannot afford to pay for private 
tuition. His future prospects in life may depend upon his 
being able to scrape together as much knowledge of Greek and 
Latin as will enable him to take a degree ; and is a translation 
to be condemned because it has been useful in the attainment 
of this object ? Let those who exclaim most loudly against 
literal translations reflect upon these things, and they will find, 
that the youth of good talents cannot be injured by such trans- 
lations.; whilst the youth of moderate talents may be greatly 
assisted by them. 

It was with a full conviction of the truth of this reasoning, 
that the following translation of Homer's Iliad was written. 
To translate the poetry of one language into the prose of anoth- 
er, is, to say the least of it, an irksome task, and necessarily 
obliges the translator to lay aside every idea of elegance in his 
composition. With respect to Homer, in particular, these objec- 
tions are peculiarly strong. Although certainly as simple as a 
poet can be, Homer delights in numerous and compound epi- 
thets ; expressions which, though in the Greek poem they are 
extremely beautiful, become in an English prose translation 
almost ridiculous. To make the translation at all what it was 
intended to be, however, those epithets must be fairly and liter- 



PREFACE. vii 

ally given, the consequence of which is, that the style is always 
pompous, and not unfrequently bombastic. It would be quite 
needless to offer an apology for a fault which there is no possi- 
bility of avoiding ; and for the general correctness of the trans- 
lation it is humbly hoped that no apology is required. The 
utmost care has been bestowed upon it, and no error has been 
caused by indifference or inattention. Not that it is vainly 
believed to be altogether free from mistakes. Such there may 
be, and such no doubt there are; but it is pretty confidently 
affirmed, that no meaning has been attached to the Greek words 
which those words are wholly incapable of bearing. There are, 
to be sure, some particles scattered in great profusion through- 
out the poem, which are almost universally admitted to be inca- 
pable of translation ; such as //iv, 8s, ys, and such like. All these, 
no doubt, add greatly to the precision of the expression, and, 
among the Greeks, possessed each some definite meaning. But 
though we are well aware of this, and see plainly that they add 
in no small degree to the beauty as well as strength of the lan- 
guage, we are, from the mere want of similar terms in our own, 
obliged either to pass them by entirely, or to compress two or 
three of them into one word. Wherever it is possible, they 
have each received a distinct translation in the following work. 
That the translation of Homer's Iliad, now given to the public, 
can possibly do harm, is not feared ; and if it be of the smallest 
use in furthering the views or prospects of any individual, the 
labour of the translator will be amply rewarded, 



Considerable pains have been taken in the present edition, 
throughout, to mark the meaning of Homer more specifically 
than before, both by corrections in the text, and by occasional 



viii PREFACE. 

notes — with a still more sedulous regard to the literalness of the 
version. Universally, indeed, every change has heen made with 
the sole view of conveying more strictly and closely the con- 
struction, as well as the sense, of the noble original. 

H,P. 
Sandwich, Feb. 1841. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK I. 



ARGUMENT. 

Account of a pestilence in the Grecian camp, and cause of it. A council called. 
Fierce altercation takes place between Agamemnon and Achilles. Achilles re- 
nounces the field. Agamemnon demands Brisei's. Achilles resigns her. He 
complains to Thetis, who undertakes to plead his cause with Jove. She pleads 
it, and prevails. What passed in heaven on that occasion. 

Sing, Goddess, the destructive wrath of Achilles, son of Pe- 
leus, which brought myriad 1 disasters upon the Acheeans, and 
sent many gallant souls of heroes to Hades, and made them- 
selves 2 a prey to dogs and all birds of prey (for so the counsel of 
Jove was fulfilled), from the time when, first, Atrides, king of 5 
men, and the godlike Achilles, quarrelling with each other, sep- 
arated. 

Which then of the gods set them together to battle in the 
strife of words ? It was the son of Latona and of Jove ; for, 
being indignant with the king, he sent a fatal sickness 3 upon the 
army, and the people perished ; because Atrides had insulted 10 
Chryses, his priest. For He, Chryses, came to the swift ships 
of the Achseans to redeem his daughter, bringing a boundless 4 
ransom, and bearing in his hands a chaplet of the far-darting 
Apollo upon a golden rod 5 ; and he supplicated all the Achseans, 15 
but especially the two sons of Atreus, the commanders of the 
troops 6 . 

1 L e. Very many. 2 Their carcases. 

3 Plague or pestilence. 4 Very large. 

5 Or wand — gold-stick. 

6 Lit. Xccoj, peoples — in the plural usually expressive of an army — soldiers. 

2 



2 ILIAD L— V. 18—51. 

" Ye sons of Atreus, and ye other well-greaved 7 Achaeans, 
may the Gods, who possess Olympian mansions, grant you to 

20 destroy the city of Priam, and return happily home. But re- 
lease my beloved daughter, and accept her ransom, reverencing 
the son of Jove, the far-darting Apollo." 

Then all the other Achaeans attested their readiness 8 to re- 
spect the priest and to accept the rich ransom. But it pleased 

25 not the soul of Agamemnon, the son of Atreus ; hut 9 he dis- 
missed him roughly, and added this threatening speech : 

" Let me not find thee, old man, either lingering at the hol- 
low 1 ships now, or hereafter coming again, lest the rod and chap- 
let of the God protect thee not. For I will not set her free — 

30 even old age shall come upon her first, plying the loom, and 

tending 2 my bed, in my house at Argos, far from her native land. 

But, begone ; irritate me not, that thou mayst return the safer." 

Thus he spoke, and the old man was afraid, and obeyed the 

order. And he walked in silence along the sands of the loud- 

35 roaring sea, and then after going some distance, the old man 
prayed much 3 to king Apollo, whom the fair-haired Latona 
bore : 

" Hear me, God of the silver-bow, thou who protectest Chrysa 4 
and the glorious Cilia, and mightily dost govern Tenedos : O 
Smintheus 5 , if ever I hung thy beautiful temple with garlands, 

40 or if ever I burnt, in honour of thee, the fat legs 6 of bulls or of 
goats, accomplish this my prayer. May the Danaans surfer for 
my tears by thine arrows." 

Thus he spoke, praying: and Phoebus Apollo heard him. 
And he came down from the summits of Olympus, angry at 
heart, bearing upon his shoulders, his bow, and closed 7 quiver. 

45 And the arrows too rattled upon the shoulders of the angry God. 
as he moved along ; and he advanced like night 8 . Then he sat 
down at some distance from the ships, and sent forth an arrow ; 
and terrible was the clang of the silver bow. At first he at- 

50 tacked mules, and swift dogs, and next, aiming the deadly bolt 
at the men themselves, he struck them ; and numerous pyres of 

7 Their legs well defended with greaves, i. e. well-armed or mailed — part put 
for the whole. 

8 i. e. By words or gestures. 9 Sc. for. * Sc. capacious. 
2 i. e. As a slave. 3 Many things, much, earnestly. 

4 A town of Troy — Cilia also : Tenedos, the island of that name. 

5 A frequent epithet of Apollo, fantastically derived from mice — rat-catcher. 

6 See line 460 of this book. 

7 i. e. Closed at both ends — the quiver had a lid. 

8 t. e. Like a dark cloud threatening storms. 



ILIAD I.— V. 52—90. 3 

the dead were ever burning. Nine days did the arrows of the 
God make their way through the army; and on the tenth, 
Achilles called the people to council. The white-armed God- 
dess Juno had put this resolve into his mind ; for she was grieved 55 
for the Achseans, because she beheld them perishing. When, 
therefore, they collected, and were assembled together, the 
swift-footed Achilles, standing up among them, thus spoke : 

" Atrides, I judge we must now turn back and go home again, 
if at least we would escape death; since war and pestilence at 60 
once press upon the Acha?ans. But come, let us consult some 
prophet, or priest, or even interpreter of dreams (for a dream 
also is from Jove), who may say, why Phoebus Apollo is thus an- 
gry with us. If he be offended on account of some vow or hec- 65 
atomb unperformed, perhaps, obtaining from us the scent 9 of 
choice lambs and kids, he will avert from us the plague." 

And having thus spoken, he then sat down ; and Calchas, the 
son of Thestor arose, the best of augurs, a man who knew the 
present, the future, and the past, and who had guided the ships 70 
of the Achseans to Ilium, by that power of prophecy which 
Phoebus Apollo gave him. With wisdom 1 he thus addressed 
them, and said : 

" Archilies, beloved of Jove ; thou chargest me to explain the 
cause of the anger of Apollo, the far-darting king. Therefore 75 
will I tell it : but do thou observe, and swear to me, that thou 
wilt promptly by words and hands protect me. For I fear that 
I shall irritate the man, who is of all the Argives most power- 
ful, and whom the Acha?ans obey. For a king, when he is an- 80 
gry with an inferior man, will be too strong for him ; for, even 
if at the moment he suppress his rage, he yet thereafter retains 
resentment, till he can wreak it, in his breast. Say then, if 
thou wilt protect me." 

And him, the swift-footed Achilles, answering, said: "In full 
confidence 2 , tell whatever oracle of the God 3 " thou knowest. 85 
For, by Apollo, beloved of Jove, — through whom it is that, by 
praying to him, thou disclosest to the Danaans his oracles, — no 
one, of all the Danaans, at the hollow ships, while I live and 
look upon the earth, shall lay violent hands upon thee ; no, not 90 

9 Steam or scent of roast-lamb, &c. 

1 Prudently — with a just regard for his own safety. — Lit. Svygoveuv is a parti- 
ciple — being possessed of good brains — a faculty of thinking well, acutely, or pru- 
dently, for one's own interests, or kindly towards others. 

2 Having great confidence, declare, &c. 

3 i. e. His sentiments or views — whatever thou knowest of them, however ac- 
quired. 






4 ILIAD 1— V. 91—123. 

even if thou shouldst name Agamemnon, who now boasts to be 
much the best of Achaeans. 

Then at last the good prophet took courage, and said: 
" Neither then for tow is he angry, nor hecatomb, but on ac- 
95 count of his priest, whom Agamemnon insulted, and set not his 
daughter at liberty, nor accepted her ransom, Pot this reason 
then has the Far-darter sent these woes upon us, and Will send 
them still ; neither will he withhold his heavy hands from af- 
flicting' us with pestilence until Agamemnon restore the beau- 
100 tiful 4 maid, unredeemed, unransomed, to her beloved father ; 
and take a sacred hecatomb to Chrysa ; then, thus propitiating 
we may, perchance, appease him. 

And having thus spoken, he then sat down. And then the 
hero, the son of Atreus, the far-ruling Agamemnon rose, indig- 
nant ; and much was his dark breast rilled with rage, and his 
105 eyes resembled flashing fire. First looking sternly at Calchas, 
he thus addressed him : 

"Prophet of evils 5 , never yet hast thou spoken what was 
pleasant to me ; but ever agreeable is it to thy soul to prophesy 
evils ; and never yet hast thou spoken one good word, or brought 
it to effect. And now, divining, in the presence of the Danaans 
110 thou tellest them that for this forsooth, the Far-darter sends dis- 
asters upon them, because I was not willing to accept the rich' 
ransom for the young daughter of Chryses ; seeing that I much 
wish to have her at home ; and indeed I prefer her even to 
Clytemestra my wife 6 , for she is not inferior to her, in figure or 
115 stature* in mind or accomplishments 7 . Yet even so, I am wil- 
ling to restore her, if that is better ; for I wish my people to be 
safe rather than to perish. But forthwith prepare another re- 
ward 8 for me 5 that I may not be the only one of the Argives 
unrewarded ; since that would not be fitting. For this reward 
120 of mine you see^ that is going elsewhere." 

Him, then, the swift-footed godlike Achilles answered : " Il- 
lustrious Atrides— insatiable 9 — for how shall the noble Achaoans 

4 The specific sense of ^XjxwvJ, is not known. It is applied to men (line 389 
of this book) as well as women, and seems to be expressive of some admirable 
personal qualities. Black-eyed is an interpretation of remote tradition, though 
surely not always applicable. 

5 Announcer ; i. e. through his prophetic or divining qualities, prophesying in 
Homer is, generally, announcing, or declaring the wi$ of the Gods. 

6 Kou£i<5»»js aXo^ou — my wife ; one who b,?4 never been married before— in 
opposition to a mistress, 

7 Works. e Or prize. 

• Fond of accumulating all thinga-^most sor-mo4 of all men* j 



ILIAD I— V. 124—155. 5 

give thee another reward ? We know of no many things laid 
up in common 10 . But what things we have plundered from 125 
towns, those have been divided : and it would ill become the 
army to collect them together again. But do thou now give 
this maiden up to the God, and we Achasans will reward thee 
three-fold or four-fold, if Jove shall ever grant us to spoil the 
well-fortified city of Troy." 

And him answering, king Agamemnon said : " Do not thus, 130 
clever though thou be, god-like Achilles, attempt to practise 
upon me 1 ; since thou wilt not overreach me, nor persuade me. 
What, dost thou wish, that thou thyself shouldst keep thy 
prize, and that I should sit down thus 2 in want of one? And 
dost thou bid n& to restore her? Well, if the brave Achaeans 135 
will give me another prize, adapting it to my mind, / will do so ; 
only let them take care that it be an equivalent one. But if 
they will not give me one, then I myself will go and seize one, — 
thy prize, or that of Ajax, or of Ulysses, I will seize and take 
away ; and he to whom I come may be enraged, if he will. 
But, however, these matters we will talk over again hereafter. 140 
And now, come, we will launch a black ship into the divine 
sea 3 ; and collect rowers in sufficient number, and put on board 
an hecatomb, and embark the fair-cheeked daughter of Chryses: 145 
and let some one chieftain be its commander, Ajax, or Idome- 
neus, or the god-like Ulysses ; or thyself, son of Peleus, most 
tremendous 4 of men, that thou mayst propitiate for us the Far- 
darter, by offering sacrifice." 

And the swift-footed Achilles, looking sternly at him, said, 
• £ Ha! shameless 5 and rapacious! how can any of the Achgeans 
cheerfully obey thy orders, either to undertake an expedition 6 , 150 
or bravely to fight with men ? I came not here to fight on ac- 
count of the warlike Trojans; for tome they have done no 
wrong. They never drove away my cattle nor my horses ; nor 
ever destroyed my crops in fertile and populous Phthia ; for 155 

10 From which another reward might he selected for thee- 

1 KXsffTS vow — i. e. steal or filch with the mind, in opposition to the hunch' 
The force of the phrase is, obviously, — Do not attempt to juggle, or play your 
tricks upon me. 

2 Autws. The sense is supplied by gesticulation, to sit down thus — inactively 
without stirring to maintain my rights. 

3 u e. Vast — any thing large or immense is oiog, divine. 

4 Extfa^Xorars — ironically, of course. 

5 Clothed or covered with impudence. 

6 An ambuscade, or a foray — to intercept caravans, or seize upon cattle. Aoyov<5s 

isvccij line 226 of this book, is an equivalent phrase. 



6 ILIAD I— Y. 156—192. 

very many shadowing mountains and resounding seas are be- 
tween us. But thee, most shameless man, do we accompany, 
to pleasure thee; exacting from the Trojans satisfaction for 
Menelaus, and for thee ; insolent ; these things thou regardest 

160 not, nor valuest them at all. And now thou threatenest thou 
wilt thyself deprive me of my reward, for which I have laboured 
hard 7 , and which the sons of the Acheeans have given me. 
Never have I a reward equal to thine, when the Achseans lay 

165 waste a well-peopled town of the Trojans ; although my hands 
execute most of the labours of harassing battle ; but, whenever 
a division of the spoil comes, to thee falls the greater prize., 
while I, with a small and grateful one 8 , return to the ships. 

170 when I am exhausted with fighting. But no - ^ I will go to 
Phthia, since it is much better to return home with my high- 
beaked 9 ships ; nor am I disposed, thus insulted here, to gather 
spoils and wealth for thee." 

To him, then, the king of men, Agamemnon, replied : " Fly 
hy all means, if thy soul prompts thee ; nor will I intreat thee, 
for my sake, to remain : with me are others who will honour 

175 me, and, above all, counselling Jove. And most hateful to me 
art thou of heaven- protected kings, for strife is always agreeable 
to thee, and wars, and battles. Though thou be valiant, God 
doubtless gave thee that. Returning home with thy ships and 

180 thy comrades, lord it over the Myrmidons ; for I regard thee not, 
nor care for thy being angry. But this will I assure thee. As 
Phoebus Apollo takes from me the daughter of Chryses, her will 
I send in my own ship, and with my own comrades : but com- 

185 ing to thy tent, I will myself bear off thy prize, the fair-cheeked 
Brise'fs ; that thou mayst well know how much more powerful 
I am than thou, and that another may be afraid to profess him- 
self my equal, or compare with me 1 ." 

Thus he spoke, and to the son of Peleus there was pain, and 
in his rough breast his heart was torn two ways : whether. 

190 plucking the sharp sword from his thigh, he should stir up the 
rest 2 , and slay Atrides, or suppress his rage, and check hss desire. 
While he was revolving these things in his heart and soul, and 

7 Many things — much. 

8 i. e. Though small, yet welcome — in the absence of a better. 

xopwvjtfi, i, e . ships, both whose prow and stern rose high and curved — like 
the horns of an ox. The same epithet is applied to oxen by Theocrit. Idyll, 
xxv. 151. 

1 To be compared,' av<r/]v, iu opposition to me. 

2 Perhaps overturn or remove them — those who stood between himself and 
Agamemnon. 



ILIAD I— V. 193—234. 7 

was drawing his mighty sword from the sheath, Minerva came 
from heaven ; for the white-armed goddess Juno had sent her 195 
forth, alike loving and regarding hoth ■ and she stood "behind 
him, and pulled the son of Peleus by the yellow hair, — apparent 
to him alone, and no one of the rest beheld her. And Achilles 
was amazed, and turned round, and immediately recognized 200 
Pallas Minerva, for awful appeared her eyes. And addressing \ 
her, he spoke winged 3 words to her : 

" Why, again, daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, comest thou ? 
Is it that thou mayst behold the insult of Agamemnon, the son 
ofAtreus? But I declare to thee, and I think it will be ac- 
complished, that he will soon lose his life by his insolence." 205 

And the blue-eyed goddess Minerva said to him in return : 
" I came to allay thy wrath, if thou wilt obey, from heaven : for 
the white-armed goddess Juno sent me forth, alike loving and con- 
cerned at heart for both of you. Come then, cease from the strife, 210 
nor draw the sword with thy hand. Upbraid him, nevertheless, 
in words, as thou wilt — but no violence ; for thus I declare, and it 
shall be fulfilled — rich gifts of even three times the value shall 
be thine, for this insult. But do thou restrain thyself, and be 
obedient to us." 

And the swift-footed Achilles answering her, said : "It be- 215 
comes me to observe your joint 4 commands, although very much 
enraged at heart; for so it is better. To the man, who obeys 
the gods, they most readily listen." 

He said, and pressed his heavy hand upon the silver hilt, and 
thrust back the mighty sword into its sheath, nor disobeyed the 220 
command of Minerva : and she went to Olympus, to the man- 
sions of aegis-bearing Jove, among the other divinities. But 
Achilles again addressed Atrides with passionate words, nor yet 
ceased from his anger : 

" O drunkard, with the eyes of a dog, and the heart of a deer, 225 
never hast thou the courage 5 to arm thyself for war with the 
people, nor to go ambuscading with the chiefs of the Achseans ; 
for that seems to be death to thee. To be sure, it is much bet- 230 
ter, in the broad army of the Achceans, to strip of his rewards 
whoever may at all contradict thee 6 . O king, devourer of thy 
people — a coward people — for thou reignest over dastards; oth- 
erwise, Atrides, thou wouldest now have been insolent for the 
last time. But I will tell thee, and I will swear a mighty oath. 

3 Words rapidly, hastily expressed. 

4 The commands of you two especially 

5 Thou hast never dared in thy mind. 

G Whoever may say any thing in opposition. 



8 ILIAD L— V. 235—273. 

235 even by this sceptre, which shall never bear leaves and shoots, 
from the time it left its trunk 7 among the mountains, nor bud 
again for, in fact, the axe stripped it all round, of both leaves 
and bark; and now the sons of the Achaeans bear it in their 
hands, the magistrates, those who administer the laws derived 
from Jove — and this oath will be a great one — that the desire 

240 of Achilles will surely one day come upon all the sons of the 
Achaaans, and thou, though much grieved, wilt be unable to as- 
sist them, when many fall dying by the hand of Hector, slayer 
of men. Then shalt thou tear thy soul within, enraged with 
thyself that thou didst honour nothing 8 the mightiest of 
Achaaans." 

245 Thus spoke the son of Peleus ; and cast upon the earth his 
sceptre adorned with golden studs, and himself sat down. And 
on the other hand, the son of Atreus grew warm ; but soft- 
speaking Nestor rose, the persuasive orator of the Pylians, from 
whose tongue flowed words sweeter than honey, and under him 

250 already two generations of articulate-speaking 9 men had per- 
ished — who with him were born and bred in sacred Pylus, and 
he was reigning over the third. He, a wise man, harangued 
them, and said : 

"Alas, great misery is come upon the Achaean land. Surely 

255 Priam will rejoice, and the sons of Priam, and the rest of the 
Trojans, be gladdened in their souls, if they hear of you two, 
who are above other Danaans in council and in valour 1 , quarrel- 
ling about all these matters. Be persuaded then ; for you are 

260 both younger than I. For long ago I associated with men even 
more mighty than you, and they never disregarded me. Never, 
indeed, have I seen, nor shall I see such men as Peirithous, and 
Dryas, shepherd of people 2 , and Cseneus, and Exadius, and divine 

265 Polyphemus, and Theseus the son of iEgeus, one resembling 
the immortals. The bravest of earthly men were they bred ; 
the bravest were they, and they fought with the bravest, the 
mountain-Centaurs, and fearfully slew them. Even with these 

270 had I intercourse, when I went from Pylus far from the Apian* 
land ; for themselves invited me. And I fought with all my 
might 4 ; but with those Centaurs none of these men, who are 
now upon 5 the earth, could have fought. Yet they (Peirithous, 

7 i, e. The tree from which it was cut. s i. e. Didst insult. 

9 In opposition to animals, who do not articulate sounds, or express their feel, 
ings by words. 

1 In righting. 2 Commander of men — armies, troops. 

3 The ancient name of the Peloponnesus. 

4 Kcer' s/a' ccutov. 5 Men on the earth. 






ILIAD I.— V. 273—309. 9 

&c.) hearkened to my counsels, and obeyed my words. And be 
ye also persuaded, since it is better to obey. Do not thou, 
Agamemnon, powerful though thou be, take away the maid 275 
from him, but leave her, as to him the sons of the Achaeans first 
gave the prize ; nor do thou, Peleides, seek to strive hostilely 
with the king : for never did sceptered king, to whom Jove has 
given glory, possess authority equal to his. And if thou art 280 
more valiant, and a goddess was 6 thy mother ; still he is mightier 
than thou, since he rules over more. Son of Atreus, repress 
thy rage ; and I myself implore thee to give up thy resentment 
against Achilles, who is the great bulwark against evil war to 
all Achaeans." 

And king Agamemnon answering, said : " Truly thou hast 285 
said all this, old man, in a manner which becomes thee. But 
this man is desirous to be above all other men ; he wishes to 
rule and reign over all, and command all 7 , which I am not dis- 
posed to submit to 8 . For if the everlasting Gods have made 290 
him a warrior, do they for that permit him to utter insults ?" 

And then the godlike Achilles interruptingly replied : " Then 
may I be called a coward and a nobody, if ever I comply again 
as to any thing that thou sayest. Impose these things on oth- 295 
ers, but command not me ; for I resolve 9 1 will no longer obey 
thee. And I will tell thee something else, and do thou cast it 1 
in thy mind. With hands 2 I will by no means fight, on account 
of the maid, with thee, or any other, since ye who gave her, 
take her away. But of the rest of the spoils which are with 300 
me, in my swift black ship, of them nothing shalt thou take and 
carry off without my consent. But, if thou art disposed to do 
so, come make the trial, that these too may learn the consequence 
— soon shall thy black blood flow around my spear." 

Having thus fought with hostile words, they both arose : and 305 
they broke up the assembly at the ships of the Achaeans. The 
son of Peleus then repaired to his tents and well-built 3 ships, 
along with Patroclus and his comrades ; and Atrides put to sea 4 
a swift ship, and selected twenty rowers, and embarked a heca- 

6 A goddess-mother bore thee. 

7 And to give signals to all. 

8 Which I do not think he will persuade me to let him do. 

9 I do not think — i. e.Iara not disposed — I am resolved no longer to obey. 

1 Let it sink into your mind. 

2 In opposition to words. 

EVffag — i. e. equal — which perhaps refers to the symmetry of the parts, 
n^oe^utftfsv — dragged down, i. e. to the water. The vessels, when not 
wanted, were drawn up on the shore — kept in a sort of dry dock. 



10 ILIAD L— V. 310—347. 

310 tomb for the God; and led the fair daughter of Chryses on 
board ; and the wise Ulysses went as commander. They then. 
embarking, sailed upon the watery paths ; and Agamemnon 
ordered the people to purify themselves 5 . Then they purified 

315 themselves, and cast the sordes (or suds) into the sea; and they 
sacrificed to Apollo choice hecatombs of bulls and goats, on the 
shore of the unfruitful ocean ; and the odour, curling with the 
smoke, ascended up to heaven. 

Thus did they employ themselve's throughout the army ; but 
Agamemnon did not desist from the contest with which he first 

320 threatened Achilles 6 . For he thus addressed Talthybius and 
Eurybates, who where his heralds, and zealous attendants : 

" Go to the tent of Achilles, the son of Peleus, and having 
taken by the hand the fair Briseis, bring her away ; and if he 

325 do not resign her, then will I myself seize her r coming with 
greater numbers, — which will be even worse for him." 

So saying, he dismissed them, and enforced the hard commis- 
sion. And they, reluctant, along the shore of the barren sea 
proceeded, and arrived at the tents and ships of the Myrmidons. 

330 And him they found sitting beside his tent, and his black ship ; 

nor was Achilles pleased at seeing them. And they, fearing 

and reverencing the king, stood still ; neither did they address 

him, nor speak a word ; but he knew their business, in his mind, 

^ and said : 

335 « Welcome, heralds, messengers of Jove and of men, come 
near ; ye are not blameable 7 , but Agamemnon, who sends you 
for the maid Brisei's. Go then, noble Patroclus, bring forth the 
maid, and give her to them to take her away ; but be they them- 

340 selves witnesses before the immortal Gods, and before mortal 
men, and before the cruel king, of this insult. And if ever 
again there be need of me to ward off destructive pestilence 
from the rest 8 — for he is driven on by destructive counsels, nor 
knows he how to observe at all, the future and the past 9 , that 

345 the Achasans safe may fight at their ships." 

Thus he spake. And Patroclus obeyed his dear friend, and 
led the fair-cheeked Briseis from the tent, and gave her to them 

5 i. e. With water. 

6 i. e. He did not desist from executing the threat. 

7 i. e. You are guiltless of the injury you are come to inflict on me . 

8 In his rage, Achilles refuses to assist not merely Agamemnon, but the whole 
army. Supply — I will not lend my services, and he cannot supply my absence- 
for, &c. 

9 What is before and -what is behind — i. e. to compare them— to judge of one 
bv the other. 



ILIAD L— V. 347—382 1 1 

to take away ; and they returned to the ships of the Achaaans. 
And unwillingly along with them the lady went. But Achilles, 
weeping, forthwith sat down, going apart from his companions. 
on the shore of the foaming sea, gazing upon the dark deep. 350 
And much to his dear mother prayed he ; stretching out his 
hands : 

? Mother, as thou hast borne me, though to be short-lived, high 
thundering Olympian Jove ought surely to have bestowed h6nour 
upon me ; and now has he not honoured me the least, but the 
contrary 1 , for the son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, has in 355 
fact insulted me; he has taken from me my prize, — himself 
depriving me of it." 

Thus spake he, weeping. And him his revered mother heard, 
as she sat in the depths of the ocean beside her aged father. 
And she rose in haste from the surging sea, like a mist ; and 
then she sat beside him, as he wept, and took him by the hand 2 , 360 
and addressed 3 him, and called him by his name. 

" Son r why weepest thou ? and what sorrow has touched thy 
breast ? Declare it. nor hide it in thy soul, that we both may 
know it." 

And, sighing deeply, the swift-footed Achilles replied to her : 
" Thou knowest ; why should I tell these matters to thee, ac- 365 
quainted with them all ? We marched against Thebe, Eetion's 
sacred 4 city, and we plundered it, and brought all the spoils 
hither. And these divided well among themselves the sons 
of the Achaaans; and they selected for Agamemnon the fair- 370 
cheeked daughter of Chryses. But Chryses, the priest of the 
far-darting Apollo, came afterwards to the swift ships of the 
brazen-mailed Achaaans 5 , to redeem his daughter, bringing a 
boundless ransom, and bearing in his hand a chaplet of the iar- 
darting Apollo, upon a golden rod. And he supplicated all the 
Achaaans, but especially the two sons of Atreus, the commanders 375* 
of the troops. Then all the other Achaaans attested their 
readiness to respect the priest, and accept the rich ransom. But 
it pleased not the soul of Agamemnon, son of Atreus ; for he 
dismissed him harshly, and added a severe threat. And the old 
man departed indignant : and Apollo heard him, while praying, 380 
for he was very dear to him. And he shot a destructive arrow 
among the Argives ; and the people now died, one after another, 

1 i. e. So far from consulting for my honour, he permits Agamemnon to insult 
me. 

2 Caressed him. 3 Spoke a word to him, and called him by his name. 

4 Great or nohlo. e I " "/)', like Ss»o£ and <5»o£, is used for any thing superior, 

5 Brazen-coated. 



12 ILIAD L— V. 384—421. 

and the weapons of the God went still in all directions through- 

385 out the wide army of the Achaeans. And now a skillful prophet 
explained the divine will 6 of Apollo. Forthwith I was the first 
to advise them to appease the God; and then rage seized 
Atrides; and, instantly rising, he uttered a threat, which has 

390 now been accomplished. For the noble Achaeans send her to 
Chrysa in a swift ship, and carry oiferings to the kind {Apollo): 
and the heralds have just quitted my tent, taking with them the 
maid BriseTs, whom the sons of the Achaeans gave to me. But 
do thou, for thou caost, protect thy son. Going to Olympus, 

395 intreat Jove to assist me, if ever thou didst gratify the heart of 
Jove, by word or deed. For I have heard thee often boast in 
the halls of my father, when thou saidst that thou alone, among 
the immortals, did ward off from the cloud-collecting son of 
Saturn unworthy defeat, when the other inhabitants of Olympus, 

400 Juno, Neptune, and Pallas Minerva, wished to bind him in chains. 
But thou, O Goddess, coming, freed him from his bonds by 
quickly calling to high Olympus, him of the hundred hands, 
whom the Gods call Briareus, and all men, iEgeon : for he was 

405 stronger than his father 7 . He then sat beside the son of Saturn, 
exulting in glory 8 ; — and him the blessed Gods dreaded, and 
attempted no longer to bind Jupiter. Reminding feim of these 
things now, sit down by him and take him by the knees 9 , and 
ask if he will some way or other give assistance to the Trojans, 
and drive the Acha?ans slaughtered to their ships, and the sea, 

410 that they may all have the full benefit of their king, and that 
the son of Atreus, the far-ruling Agamemnon, may know his 
folly, when he honoured nothing the mightiest of Achasans." 

Then Thetis, shedding tears, replied, " Alas ! my son, why 
did I bring thee up — unhappily giving thee birth? Would 

415 that thou couldst have remained by thy ships, free from tears 
and troubles, since indeed short is thy fate — not very long. 
And now both short-lived and miserable art thou above all : and 
therefore with an ill omen, I brought thee forth in our halls. I 
will, however, myself go to snowy Olympus, and deliver this 

420 message to Jove, who delights in thunder, and see if he can be 
persuaded. And do thou now, sitting beside the swift ships, 

6 ©soffpotfiag — not strictly "oracles," for none were given. The priest is sup- 
posed to have had private communication with the deity ; or to have known how 
to interpret the will of the gods from express tokens, or natural phenomena. 

7 " Because he was better than his father in strength." He was the son of 
Neptune. 

8 i, e. Of having rescued Jupiter. 

9 i. e. In that attitude of supplication, ask him, if, &c 



ILIAD I— V. 422—459. 13 

nurse thy wrath against the Achaeans, and abstain altogether 
from war. For Jupiter went yesterday to Oceanus, to the 
blameless Ethiopians, to a feast, and all the gods accompanied 
him. But on the twelfth day he will come again to Olympus. 425 
and then will I certainly repair to the brazen mansion of Jove, 
and embrace his knees ; and I trust he will be prevailed upon." 

Having thus spoken she departed ; and left him there ; indig- 
nant in his soul on account of the lovely maid 1 , whom they had 430 
taken from him against his will. 

And Ulysses came to Chrysa, conducting the sacred heca- 
tomb. And when at length they arrived within the deep har- 
bour, they furled the sails, and stowed them in the black ship : 
and let down the mast to its receptacle 2 , lowering it quickly by 435 
the braces. But the vessel they impelled to her station with 
oars, and cast out the anchors, and made fast the cable ; and the 
crew landed upon the shore of the sea, and disembarked the 
hecatomb for the far-darting Apollo. And the daughter of 
Chryses also landed from the sea-crossing ship. Then wise 440 
Ulysses, leading her to the altar, gave her into the hands of her 
beloved father, and thus addressed him: 

" O Chryses ; Agamemnon, king of men, has sent me to bring 
thee back tlry daughter, and to offer on the part of the Danaans 
a sacred hecatomb to Phoebus, that we may appease the king 
(Apollo), who has now sent grievous troubles upon the Argives." 445 

Thus, having spoken, he gave her into his hands; and Chryses 
received his dear daughter, delighted ; whilst the others speedily 
arranged around the well-built altar the noble hecatomb for the 
god : and then they washed their hands and took up the salt 
and barley. And Chryses prayed for them with a loud voice, 450 
lifting up his hands : 

"Hear me, God of the silver bow, thou who dost protect 
Chrysa and the glorious Cilia, and dost by thy power govern 
Tenedos ; thou didst once before hear me when I prayed to thee. 
Thou hast honoured me, and done much mischief to the people 
of the Achaeans. And again now too fuliil for me this prayer. 455 
Put away now from the Danaans this foul pestilence." 

Thus spake he, praying : and Phoebus Apollo heard him. And 
then after they had prayed, and cast down the salt and barley 3 , 

» With a beautiful waist — a swelling bosom. 

1 The place in the ship where it was usually placed, when not elevated. 

3 ouXop(ura» scil. XPi^aj. The mola salsa of the Latins. No good authority 
for supposing the barley w asjwA ofe — much more likely coarsely ground, or poun- 
ded. The mixture was heVKr the victims, whilst the priest prayed, and, at the 
conclusion of the prayer, caf^n the heads of the victims — which were thus con- 
secrated. 



14 ILIAD L— V. 458—491. 

they drew back first the heads of the victims, and cut their 
throats, and skinned them, and cut off the hind legs, and covered 
them with the caul, making it double 4 , and placed morsels of 

160 flesh (cut from different parts of the victim) upon them. Then 
the old man burnt them upon cleft wood, and poured ruddy 
wine over them; and while beside him young men held long 
forks 5 in their hands. And when the legs were quite consumed, 

465 and they had tasted the entrails, they divided the rest into small 
pieces, and pierced them with spits, and cooked them carefully, 
and drew them all off again. And when they had accomplished 
the labour, and prepared the feast, they ate, nor did the appetite 
of any fail of a just feast 6 . And after they had removed the 
desire of eating and drinking, the attendants crowned goblets 

470 with wine ; and with cups, beginning from the right, they 
distributed them to all. And the youths of the Achasans all day 
propitiated the God with singing, chanting a beautiful paean, and 
celebrating the Par-darter ; and he was delighted 7 to hear them. 

475 And when the sun had set, and darkness succeeded, then slept 
they beside the hawsers 8 of their ship. 

And when the rosy-fingered Aurora, daughter of the morn, 
appeared, then they steered back towards the broad army of the 

480 Achaaans. And the far-darting Apollo then sent a fair wind, 
and they erected their mast, and spread their white sails ; and 
the breeze filled the middle of the sail, and the purple wave 
roared loud around the keel, as the ship scudded away ; and she 
bounded along, cutting her path through the billows. And 

485 when they reached the broad army of the Achaeans, they drew 
the black ship upon the strand, high upon the sands, and propped 
her up with long scantlings 9 : and themselves dispersed to their 
tents and ships. 

Meanwhile the noble son of Peleus, swift-footed Achilles, 

490 continued in anger, sitting by the quick-moving ships, nor ever 
went to the glorious 1 council, nor ever into war ; but it fretted 

4 They wrapt the legs, or the bones of the legs (ra fAij^icua otfrsa, Schol.) 
twice around with the cavil. 

5 With five prongs. The fork was used, apparently, to keep the parts of the 
offering together on the altar — that all might be burnt. 

6 i. e. Every one had his due share. 

7 In (pp 1 ^ — sea * of sensation. 

s tfpufxvTjtfia — the cables by which the tfpufiv^, or stern, was secured to a cap- 
stan on the shore. 

9 Literally — and stretched under her long prop^^k 

1 Containing illustrious men — or where men dli^^ish themselves. 



ILIAD I.— Y. 492—524 15 

his heart remaining there, for he longed for the shout and the 
battle. 

And when at last the twelfth morning from that day had 
arrived, then also the everlasting gods went all together to 
Olympus, with Jove at their head 2 ; and Thetis was not forget- 495 
ful of the commands of her son, but emerged from the wave of 
the sea, and mounted at an early hour to the great heaven, and 
Olympus. And she found the far-thundering son of Saturn, 
apart from the rest, sitting upon the highest summit of the 
many-topped Olympus. And she placed herself beside him, and 500 
embraced his knees with her left hand, and taking him with her 
right by the beard, in a suppliant 3 manner, she addressed king- 
Jove, the son of Saturn : 

" O father Jove, if ever I assisted thee among the immortals 
by word or deed, accomplish for me this desire. Give hon- 
our to my son, — he who is doomed to be the shortest-lived of 505 
all others. Him, nevertheless, has the king of men, Agamem- 
non, now insulted; for he has seized his prize, himself depriving 
him. But do thou honour him, O Olympian, all- wise Jove. 
Give victory to the Trojans, till the Achaeans honour my son, 510 
and treat him with more respect 4 ." # 

Thus she spake ; and the cloud-compelling Jove answered 
not, but sat long silent. And Thetis, as she embraced his knees, 
as she still clung to him 5 , besought him again a second time : 

" Positively promise now and confirm it to me, or refuse — for 
thou canst have no fears — that, if thou refusest, I may well know 
how much, among all, I am the Goddess most dishonoured 6 / 7 515 

And her the cloud-collecting Jove, much disturbed, addressed : 
"It will be indeed a bad business; for thou wilt force me to 
quarrel with J uno, when she irritates me with opprobrious words 7 . 
And even as it is 8 , she is always, among the immortal gods, up- 520 
braiding me, and says that I aid the Trojans in battle. Go thou 
then now away again, lest Juno behold thee : and these requests 
shall be my care, that I may fulfil them. But if 9 — come, I will 
bow down with my head to thee, that thou mayst have reliance. 

2 And Jupiter went first. 3 And supplicating. 

4 And increase him with honour ; i. e. vindicate his honour — by avenging the 
wrong he has received. 

5 Clinging to him as she was. 

e i.e. How far beyond all others, I am disregarded most. 

7 i. e. because she will hear of his promise, and will abuse him for favouring the 
Trojans. 

8 In this way — i. e. under pr^ent circumstances, and without such cause. 

9 5. c. if you wish it. 



16 ILIAD I— V. 525—554. 

525 ^or this from me, in particular, is the greatest pledge among 

immortals — for that word of mine, which I confirm by my head, 

is neither revocable, nor delusive, nor capable of non-fulfilment. 7 ' 

The Son oi Saturn spake, and bent with his dark brows. 

And the ambrosial hair of the king waved from his immortal 

530 head, and he shook the vast Olympus. Thus having deliberated 
they parted. She then leaped clown from resplendent Olympus 
into the deep sea ; and Jupiter repaired to his own mansion. 
And all the gods at once rose from their seats, in the presence 

535 of their father : nor did any dare, sitting, await his coming, but 
all stood up before him. 

Thus he sat down there upon his throne. Nor was Juno ig- 
norant — having seen her-^-that the silver-footed Thetis, daugh- 
ter of the aged sea-god, had been plotting 1 with him. Immedi- 
ately, therefore, she addressed Jupiter, the son of Saturn, with 
taunting words : 

540 " Which of the gods again has been plotting with thee, jug- 
gler ? It is ever thy delight, apart from me 2 , to plan and de- 
cide clandestinely ; nor willingly couldst thou ever bear to tell 
me a word of what thou purposest 3 ." 

And to her then the father of gods and men replied; "Juno 

545 never hope to know all my counsels, for that would be imprac- 
ticable 4 for thee, although thou art my wife. What, however, 
is proper for thee to hear, that shall then no one either of gods 
or of men know before thee ; but as to what I may choose to 
plan apart from the gods, do not thou inquire about any such 

550 matters, nor pry into them." 

And to him then the large-eyed 5 , imperial 3 Juno answered : 
" Most despotic Chronides, what word is this which thou hast 
spoken 7 ? It is long since 3 I have either questioned thee, or 
pryed into thy measures; but, quite undisturbed by we, thou 

1 Consulting — planning measures. 

2 It is eyer pleasant to thee, being apart from me, clandestinely planning, to 
decide. 

3 stoc, on vo^tfej^, i, e. any of thy measures. 

4 They would be difficult — i. e. too much for thee. 

s (Sowing. Etymologically, the word applies at least as much to the goner.il 
countenance, or aspect, as to the eyes. /3ou£ seems, in compounds, expressive of 
any thing large — as with us, bull-head, bull-rush, &c. Majestic, or noble, may 
perhaps be more applicable than ox-eyed. 

g <7roTvia. Venerable has become inseparably coupled with age, August, or 
imperial, seems more appropriate. 

t What speech is this of thine 1 # 

8 Xitjv tfagoj. Long before — or rather perhaps — never. 



ILIAD L— V. 555—580 17 

plannest what thou wilt. But now I am much afraid 9 , lest the 5o5 
silver-footed Thetis, daughter of the old sea-god, has seduc^ 
thee 10 ; for early this morning she sat beside thee, and embraced 
thy knees: and on that account, I suspect thou hast really 
promised her 1 , that thou wouldest give honour to Achilles, and 
destroy many of the Achseans at their ships." 

And the cloud-collecting Jove answered her and said : " God- 560 
dess 2 ! thou art always suspecting, nor can I ever escape thee 3 . 
Thou wilt not, however, he able to do any thing 4 , but wilt only 
become more abhorrent from my heart ; and that will be even 
worse for thee. And if that be so 5 , it will be agreeable to me. 
But sit down silent, and obey my command, lest not all the gods 565 
of Olympus can protect thee against me, on my approach 6 , when 
I lay upon thee my invincible hands."' 

Thus he spake, and the large-eyed imperial Juno was alarmed ; 
and she in consequence sat down in silence, bending her heart 7 ; 
and the celestial Gods were distressed at the sight throughout 570 
the abode of Jove. And Vulcan, the skilful artist, began to ad- 
dress them, from affection 8 for his dear mother, the white-armed 
Juno : 

" This will indeed be a sad business 9 , and even intolerable, if 
for the sake of mortals you two quarrel in this manner, and ex- 575 
cite tumult among the Gods ; nor will there be any comfort in 
the good feast, when quarrels 1 prevail. But I advise my mother, 
though she herself knows what is proper to do, to give way to 
my dear father Jove, that he may not again chide, and disturb 
our feast. For if the Olympic Thunderer 2 choose to hurl us 580 

9 I am fearful in my heart, — 0£?]v — the midriff, as the seat of some of the pas- 
sions—of fear at least. 

io vagziirri — -turned you from your purpose — or drawn you to her's. 

i xctTCLVSjCtat Sttjtu/xov — bend the head in confirmation — significant of an ir- 
revocable promise. 

AaifAovi' — with an angry emphasis. 

3 Do any thing without your detecting it. 

4 i. e. by such meddling and prying. 

r ' i. e. if you do become odious to me. 

c iov<5 must be (if the word be correct) iovtcc, and can only apply to Jupiter. 

7 Forcing her heart to submission — suppressing her indignation. 

8 Literally — bringing or doing agreeable things — gratifying — and six lines 
below, Vulcan exhorts his mother, in the same phrase, to gratify Jove — i, e. to 
obey. 

9 Pestilent, or mischievous things — plaguy. 

i ^spsiova, i. e. the Xoi^ia sgyu opposed to afASivova — /3sX<nova. 
2 Discharger of lightning. 

3 



18 ILIAD L— V. 581— 611. 

from our seats, he can ; for he is far the most powerful. Do 
thou then appease him with gentle words, and the Olympian 
will then he in good humour again with us all" 

Thus he spake ; and rising, he put a double cup 3 in the hands 

585 of his dear mother, and thus addressed her : 

" Bear with it, my mother, and support it, grieved though 
thou art ; nor let me with these eyes behold thee, so dear to me, 
punished 4 ; since then I shall not be able at all to aid thee, how- 

590 ever grieved, for the Olympian is hard to be resisted. For once, 
before, seizing me by the foot, he cast me — endeavouring to 
assist thee— from the celestial threshold. And all day I was 
borne along, and at sun-set I fell in Lemnos— and little was the 
breath still in me — where falling the Sintiens forthwith took 
me upV 

595 Thus he spake, and the white-armed Goddess Juno smiled : 
and smiling, she took the cup from the hand of her son. And 
beginning on the right, he poured out wine for all the other 
Gods, drawing sweet nectar from the bowl. Then loud laughter 6 

600 rose among the blessed Gods when they beheld Vulcan minister- 
ing 7 to them through the halls. 

Thus then they feasted all day until sun-set, nor was the ap- 
petite ungratiiied with a full feast, or with the beautiful lyre 
which Apollo held 8 , or with the Muses who sang alternating 
with delightful voice. 

^05 And when the splendid light of the sun had set. they each 
went home to rest, where for each the renowned Yulcan, lame 
in both feet, had built with good skill an apartment. 

And Jove, the Olympic Thunderer, went to his couch, where 
he was before wont to recline, when sweet sleep came upon him. 

"10 And ascending it, he there slept ; and beside him Juno, Goddess 
of the golden throne. 

3 A f/,<pi wjtsXXov. Strictly a vessel with a cup at each end, for mutual pledgee 
at drinking parties. 

4 Beaten. 5 Took care of me — brought me to life again. 

6 Unextinguishable. 

7 Playing the waiter— -possibly pledging each — the whole circle — which might 
be the occasion of the laughter. 

8 And playing of course. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK II. 



ARGUMENT. 

Jupiter, in pursuance of his purpose to distress the Grecians, in answer to the 
prayer of Thetis, deceives Agamemnon by a dream. He, in consequence of it, 
calls a council, the result of which is, that the army should go forth to battle. 
Thersites is mutinous, and is chastised by Ulysses. Ulysses, Nestor, and 
Agamemnon, harangue the people ; and preparation is made for battle. An 
exact account follows of the forces on both sides. 

The other Gods and warriors 1 slept all night ; but sweet re- 
pose came not upon Jove ; for he in fact was revolving in his 
mind how he might do honour to Achilles, and destroy many of 5 
the Achajans at their ships. And this plan appeared best to his 
mind, to send a delusive 2 dream to Agamemnon, son of Atreus. 

Having called him, therefore, he uttered these winged words : 
"Away, delusive Dream, to the swift ships of the Achseans. Go 
to the tent 3 of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, and repeat all things 
very carefully 4 as I charge thee. Bid him arm the long-haired 10 
Acnseans in full force ; for now he may take the broad-streeted 
city of the Trojans ; since the immortals, who possess the man- 
sions of Olympus, no longer consult two ways 5 , for Juno, having 15 
entreated them, has bent 6 them all ; and evils impend over the 
Trojans." 

i 'Itftfoxo^uflVai — those who fought, armed, in war-cars. 

2 And through delusion destructive. 

3 Going to the tent, take care to tell him, &c. 

4 argsxsuG — %. e. in the same words— expressly. 

5 ». e. Diner in opinion — think or plan dividedly, 
* Has reconciled tlhem — brought them to one. 



20 ILIAD II.— V. 17—48. 

Thus he spake, and then the Dream departed as soon as he 
had heard the order. Forthwith he came to the swift ships of 
the Achasans, and then repaired to the tent of Agamemnon, son 
of Atreus. Him he found reposing in his tent, and around him 

20 was shed ambrosial sleep. And then he stood over his head, 
resembling Nestor, the son of Neleus, whom 7 Agamemnon hon- 
oured most of the old men. Having made himself like Nestor 8 , 
the divine Dream addressed him : 
" Sleepest thou, son of brave Atreus, the tamer of horses 9 T 

25 It becomes not. a chief 1 , to whose charge nations are committed, 
and who has so many cares upon him, to sleep all night. Now, 
therefore, attend to me quickly ; for I am a messenger to thee 
from Jove, who, though far distant, is very anxious about thee, 
and pities thee. He orders thee to arm the long-haired Achaeans 
in full force, for now mayst thou take the broad-streeted city of 

30 the Trojans ; since the immortals who possess the mansions of 
Olympus no longer differ in opinion ; for Juno has conciliated 
all by her intreaties: and evils from Jove impend over the 
Trojans. Keep then these things in thy mind, nor let forget- 
fulness seize upon thee, when sweet sleep has left thee." 

35 Then, having thus spoken, he departed, and left him there 
meditating in his mind on things which, however, were not to 
be accomplished. For he thought 2 , like a fool, that he should 
take the city of Priam, on that day ; and knew not what deeds 

40 Jove was planning : for he was going to inflict more labours and 
sorrows on the Achseans and Trojans through hard-fought bat- 
tles. And Agamemnon started from his sleep, while the divine 
voice was yet floating around him. And he sat upright 3 , and 
put on his soft tunic, beautiful and new ; and next threw his 
large cloak about him. And he bound his beautiful sandals 
beneath his clean feet, and then about his shoulders hung the 

45 silver-studded sword. And he took his paternal sceptre, ever 
imperishable 4 , with which he walked to the ships of the brass- 
mailed Achaeans. 

Meanwhile, the goddess Morn ascended high Olympus to 

i tov pa — he, that is, whom, &c; indicating the reason why he was selected. 

8 Having made himself like to him. 

9 k-tfo&x^oio — a warrior, one especially who fought or drove in war-cars — not 
on foot. 

i /3ouX>j(popov ccvo^a— counsellor — one who shares in the counsels of the state, 
or army— or directs them. 

2 (pr} — said to himself. 

3 Being raised upright, he sat in that position. 

4 As being hereditary — an heir-loom. 



ILIAD II.— Y. 49— 81. 21 

report to Jove and the other immortals the approach of light; 
and Agamemnon ordered the loud-tongued heralds to call to 50 
assembly the long-haired 5 Achaeans. And they proclaimed the 
meeting, and the people very speedily assembled. But first a 
council sat of noble old men, at the ship of Nestor the Pylian- 
born king 6 ; these having called together, he with them a pru- 
dent plan arranged. 5- r > 

" Hear me, my friends. A divine 7 Dream came to me, while 
I slept, during the ambrosial night; and he resembled, most 
particularly, the noble Nestor, in appearance, in stature, and in 
person. And he stood over my head, and reported his commis- 
sion to me. Sleepest thou, son of brave Atreus, tamer of hor- 60 
ses ? It becomes not a chief, to whom nations are entrusted, 
and who has so many cares upon him, to sleep all night. Now 
therefore attend to me quickly ; for I am a messenger to thee 
from Jove, who, though far distant, is very anxious about thee, 65 
and pities thee. He orders thee to arm the long-haired Achseans 
in full force, for now thou mayst take the wide-streeted city of 
die Trojans ; since the immortals who possess the mansions of 
Olympus are no longer of different opinions, for Juno conciliates 
them all with her intreaties ; and evils from Jove impend over 
the Trojans. Keep then these things in thy mind. Thus hav- 70 
ing spoken, he went away, flying from me ; and sweet sleep left 
me. Come then, let us consult how we shall arm the sons of 
the Achaaans. I will first, as usual 8 , try them with a speech 9 ; 
and will advise them to fly with their ships of many benches 1 ' 75 
and do you one in one place, and another in another, endeavour 
to restrain them by your words 2 ." 

Having thus spoken, he then sat down : and Nestor, he who 
was king of sandy Pylus, rose, and harangued them with pru- 
dence, and said : 

" My friends, leaders and chiefs of the Argives, if any other 
of the Achaaans had told this dream, we should have pronounced °0 
it to be false, and have been revolted rather 3 . But now he has 

5 Having hair on their heads — worn long. 

6 At the Nestorean ship of the king, born at Pylus. 

i (psios — as being a divinity — or as dispatched by Jove. 

8 7) <p?/xi£ sCn. It was the business of the king to state to the general assem- 
bly the object of the meeting. 

9 i. e. find out how they are disposed — by proposing flight rather than battle, 
which was his real purpose. 

i irGh\)xkr\i<Si. Therefore — large ships. 

2 From the flight, which I shall affect to urge. 

3 ^aXAov — but rather have turned away from it— than have been persuaded by it. 



22 ILIAD II.— V. 82—113. 

seen it, who justly boasts to be the very greatest in the aimy 4 . 
Therefore come, let us see if we can arm the sons of the Achse- 
ans." 

Thus having spoken, he began to depart from the council ; 
85 and the sceptered kings arose next, and obeyed the shepherd of 
the people. And the troops thronged together — as swarms of 
crowding 5 bees, which come ever in fresh 6 numbers from the 
hollow rock, and fly in clusters over the vernal flowers, and 
90 thickly some fly in this direction, and some in that ; so of the. 
people did many nations from the ships and tents march in com- 
panies along the vast shore to the place of assembly. And in 
the midst of them, Rumour, the messenger of Jove, raged, urging 
them to proceed 7 ; and they were now collected. And the as- 
95 sembly was in commotion, and the earth groaned under them, 
as the people were taking their seats, and there was a loud 
clamour ; but nine heralds exclaiming, restrained them, in order 
that they might 8 cease from their noise, and listen to the heaven- 
protected kings. And at last with difficulty the people sat 
down, and were kept in their seats, desisting from their clam- 

100 our 9 ; and king Agamemnon arose, holding in his hand the 
sceptre which Vulcan had toiled to form 1 . Vulcan had given it 
to king Jove, the son of Saturn, and Jupiter next bestowed it 
upon his messenger the slayer of Argus ; and king Mercury pre- 
sented it to the noble Pelops 2 ; and Pelops again gave it to Atreus ? 

105 shepherd of the people. And Atreus, at his death, left it to 
Thyestes, rich in cattle j and Thyestes again bequeathed it to 
be borne by Agamemnon, that with it he might govern many 
islands, and the whole of Argos. Leaning upon this, he spake 
these words to the Argives. 

110 "My friends, Danaan heroes, servants of Mars! Jove, the 
son of Saturn, has involved me in a very heavy calamity. Cruel 
God, who formerly promised, and confirmed that promise with 
a nod, that I should return home, having destroyed well-fortified 

4 And of course a person entitled to credit. 

5 Or humming- — the. original word is as frequently expressive of sounds a^ 
numbers. 

6 Ever newly. 

7 i. e. the report spread rapidly through the army of a general meeting. 
s BiitQTZ — in order that they might, &c. 

9 Having made themselves stop from — ceasing — i, e. the noise and tumult being 
quelled. 

1 Which Vulcan had toiled forming. 

2 n'kwgi'K'ffos — horse-pricker — as a warrior who fought in war-cars — and cele- 
brated for his coachmanship. 



ILIAD II.— V. 114—149. 23 

Ilium 3 . And now he planned a sad deception 4 , and orders me, 
inglorious, to return to Argos, after I have lost many of my l!5 
people. Thus it seems 5 , somehow or other (crou), agreeable to 
almighty Jove, who has already overthrown the heights of many- 
states 6 , and will still overthrow more, for his power is very great. 
For 7 it will be disgraceful even for our posterity to learn that 
such and so great an army of Achaeans vainly waged a fruitless 120 
war, and fought with men less numerous than themselves ; and 
that no good result appeared. For if we, Achaeans and Trojans, 
should, making a truce 8 , both be numbered, and the Trojans, as 125 
many as are natives, should assemble, and we Achaeans be drawn 
up in decades, and we should choose one man of the Trojans to 
pour out wine for each, many decades would be without a cup- 
bearer 9 . So much I affirm the Achaeans are more in number 130 
than the Trojans who inhabit the city. But there are allies 
from many states, warlike men 1 , who greatly baffle, and prevent 2 
me from destroying, as I wish, the well-peopled town of Ilium. 
Nine years of mighty Jove 3 have now gone by, and now the 135 
timbers of our ships are rotten, and the cordage is decayed. Our 
wives and our young children sit in our halls expecting us; and 
our work, for which we came hither, remains thus unfinished. 
Come then, let ns all obey as I advise ; let us fly with the ships 140 
to our beloved native land, for never shall we take wide-streeted 
Troy." 

Thus he spake, and agitated the hearts of all throughout the 
multitude, as many as had not heard his plan 4 . And the assem- 
sembly was shaken like the huge billows of the Icarian sea, 
which Eurus and Notus have raised, rushing on them from the 145 
clouds of father Jove ; or, as when Zephyr us, coming furious, 
waves a field of high standing corn, rushing over it, and the 
corn bends under it 5 ; thus was all the assembly of Achceans 

3 That I should not return home till I had destroyed, &c. 

4 He planned a deception — i. e. his promise was delusive. 

5 [isKKsi — it seems — as, apparently, is often the meaning of the term, 
e Ka^Yjva — " the summits" — the Acropolis, or citadel. 

7 7 a t — referring to (WxXsa (line 115). 

8 Having struck sacred victims — i. e. to sanction a truce. 

9 Without a pourer out of wine. 

i lyxsdmcthoi — men who brandish spears. 2 Suffer me not. 

3 i.e. sx Aios — compare Od. H. 93. 

4 i. e. the measure decided upon in the council — all were excited, except those 
who were in the secret — who had been present at the council of the chiefs. 

s YjfAusi — \v\\w — is the nom. case. The standing corn bends with the ears to 
the ground. 



24 ILIAD IL— Y. 150—183. 

150 moved. Some rushed with a shout to the ships, and the excited 
dust rose from beneath their feet; and others exhorted one 
another to seize the ships ; and drag them to the mighty ocean : 
and cleared out the channels. The shout of these, eager 6 for 
home, ascended to heaven, and they took the props 7 from beneath 
the ships. 

155 Then would a return have been effected by the Argives, in 
spite of fate, had not Juno addressed herself to Minerva : 

" Oh ! unconquered daughter of asgis-bearing Jove, shall the 
Argives thus at last fly home to their loved native land, over the 
broad backs of the sea 8 ? and leave, as a triumph to Priam, and 

160 to the Trojans, Argive Helen, for whose sake many of the 
Achaaans have perished at Troy, far from their dear native land ? 
Go then down at once to the army of the brazen-mailed Achaeans. 
and restrain each man with thy persuasive words, nor suffer 

165 them to drag to the sea their double-oared ships 9 ." 

Thus she spake, nor was the blue-eyed goddess Minerva diso- 
bedient. For she descended from the summits of Olympus 
rushing, and quickly reached the swift ships of the Achaaans. 
Then she found Ulysses, a man equal to Jupiter in counsel, 

TTO standing 1 , — he was not laying hold of his good 2 black ship, for 
sorrow had come upon his heart and soul. And blue-eyed Minerva 
stood near him, and said : 

" Noble son of Laertes, Ulysses, man of many counsels 3 , so at 
last will ye fly home to your loved native land, embarking in 

1^5 your ships of many benches 4 ? And would ye leave, as a tri- 
umph to Priam and the Trojans, Argive Helen, for whose sake 
many of the Achaaans have fallen at Troy, far from their dear 
native land ? Go then forthwith to the army of the Achaaans. 

ISO and hesitate not ; but restrain each man with thy persuasive 
words, nor suffer them to drag to the sea their double-oared 
ships." 

Thus she spake, and he knew the voice of the goddess who 
addressed him. And he set out to run 5 , and threw from him 

6 The shout of those who were hastening to the ships. 

7 £pfxaTa, frames or stocks, on which the vessels were kept dry— or mere props. 
s vwra — backs — while our poets speak of the bosom of the waters. 

9 Having oars on both sides. 

1 i. e. not hastening, like others, to the ships, but deliberating whether he should 
assist in carrying Agamemnon's plan into execution. 

2 With good benches — i. e. well equipped. 

3 As if never at a loss for expedients, 

4 i. e. large. 

5 Began to run — set off in haste. 



ILIAD II.— V. 184—216. 25 

liis cloak ; and the herald Eurybates, of Ithaca, who followed 
him, took it up. And meeting 6 Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, 185 
he received from him the ancestral sceptre, ever-imperishable, 
with which he went down to the ships of the brazen-mailed 
Achasans. 

And whatever king or chief he overtook — standing beside him, 
he stopt with him with gentle words : 

K It does not become thee, friend 7 , to be thus alarmed, like a 190 
coward. Sit down thyself, and make the rest of the men sit, 
for thou knowest not clearly yet what the intention of Atrides 
is. He is now proving you, and will quickly scourge the sons 
of the Achseans. We have not all heard what he said in the 
council 8 . Therefore beware, lest in his anger he do some mischief 
to the sons of the Achseans. For the anger of the heaven-pro- l&- r> 
tected king is mighty ; and his authority is from Jove, and wise 
Jupiter loves him/"' 

But, on the other hand, whatever man of the common people 
he saw, and found shouting, he struck him with the sceptre, and 
reproved him in these words : 

" Sirrah ! be quiet, and listen to the commands of others, 200 
who are thy superiors ; for thou art unwarlike and weak, and 
never worthy to be numbered in battle or in council. We 
Achseans cannot all be kings here. The government of many 
is not good ; let there be one chief only, one king — he to whom 205 
the son of crafty Saturn gives a sceptre, and laws 9 to reign over 
the people 1 ." 

Thus he, commanding, directed the army. And they again 
rushed from the ships and tents to assembly with a shout — as 
when the waves of the roaring sea break upon the mighty shore, 210 
and the deep rebellows. 

The rest then sat down, and were kept quiet in their seats. 
And the prating Thersites was the only one who still babbled, 
a man who disorderly, and much was wont 2 to upbraid the chiefs 
— idly, and not with propriety, but with whatever seemed likely 21 5 
to produce laughter 3 among the Argives. He was the most 

6 And coming opposite to. 

7 Acuixovie. The force of the word, it may be supposed, depended mainly on 
the tone of the speaker. Compare line 200 below. 

3 Only certain yegovrss, (line 53) were there— Ulysses of course was one. 
9 Periphrasis for sovereign power. J (tcpi&i — the word has no reference. 

2 Who knew in his mind — was familiar with coarse expressions — knew how to 
use them in contentions with the chiefs, and, by implication, was in the habit of 
using them. 

3 Seemed to be laughable. 



26 ILIAD II.— V. 217—246. 

miserable looking man 4 who came to Ilium. He was bandy- 
legged 5 , and lame of one foot ; his shoulders were round, and 
drawn together over his breast ; and his head was sharp towards 

220 the top, and a few straggling hairs grew upon it. To Achilles 
and Ulysses he was particularly offensive, for he was wont to 
abuse them. And now again he railed 6 at the noble Agamem- 
non, screaming sharp ; and the Achaeans were exceedingly angry 
with Agamemnon, and with one mind indignant. Loudly bawl- 
_ ing, therefore, he reviled Agamemnon*: 

22o « Of what again dost thou complain, son of Atreus, or what 
dost thou desire ? Thy tents are full of brass 8 , and many choice 
dames are in thy tents, which we Achaeans bestow upon thee 
before all others 9 , whenever we capture a town. Or dost thou 

230 s till W ant gold, which one of the Trojans, tamers of horses, shall 
bring from Troy, as a ransom for his son, whom I or some other 
of the Achaeans have brought a captive 1 ? Or a young woman, 
that thou mayest enjoy the pleasures of love, and whom thou 
may est thyself possess — apart from others 2 . It becomes not the 
man who is chief in command, to bring calamities upon the sons 

23^ f t ij e Achaeans. O wretches, miserable cowards ! Achaean 
women, no longer Achaean men, let us return home with the 
ships ; and let us leave this man here to enjoy his honours in 
Troy, that he may know, whether it is really we who protect 
him or not — He who has now insulted Achilles, a man much 

:,40 more valiant than himself, for he has seized his prize, himself 
depriving him 3 . And certainly there is no gall in the soul of 
Achilles, but he is very forgiving ; — otherwise, son of Atreus, 
thou wouldst for the last time have wronged him." 

Thus spake Thersites, reviling Agamemnon, the shepherd of 
the people. But the godlike Ulysses stood speedily beside him, 

245 an( j looking sternly at him, with a rough speech reproved him. 
" Thersites, brainless babbler 4 — sonorous orator though thou 

4 catf^itfTos. 

5 If the Latin valgus be, as is probable enough, a softened form of Cpokxog, 
there can be no doubt of this sense. The word occurs nowhere else ; and to take 

# it for squinting 1 seems mere guess-work. 

6 Uttered insults or reproaches. 

7 With words, i. e. abused, or scolded him. 

8 i. e. vessels, armour, &c. of this metal — brass, or more correctly perhaps, cop- 
per. 9 n^wnCVw. 

1 Literally — bound. 2 With allusion to Briseis. 

3 i. e. for himself. 

4 ccxpi<rofMJ0s — i.e. a man of much speech without judgment — without knowing 
where to leave off— an eternal babbler. 



ILIAD II.— V. 247— 378. 27 

beest 5 , cease, nor be the only one who desires to strive with 
kings ; for I affirm that there is not a man 6 more base than thou 
of all who came with the sons of Atreus to Ilium. Thou, there- 250 
fore, shouldst not prate about kings 7 , nor offer insults to them, 
nor be upon the watch for return 8 . As yet, indeed, we know 
not clearly how these matters will be — whether, well or ill, we 
sons of Achaeans shall return 9 . Yet 1 now sittest thou, reviling 
the son of Atreus, Agamemnon, shepherd of the people, because 
the Danaan heroes gave him very many things 2 ; and jeering 255 
haranguest. But I tell thee 3 , plainly, and that shall be accom- 
plished too — If ever again I shall catch thee playing the fool as 
thou art here doing now, may his head rest no longer upon the 
shoulders of Ulysses, and may I no longer be called the father of 260 
Teiemachus, if I do not seize thee 4 , and strip off thy clothes, 
thy cloak, and thy tunic, and what covers thy nakedness, and 
drive thyself, weeping, to the swift ships, after beating thee 
with disgraceful blows, from the assembly." 

Thus he spake, and struck him with the sceptre upon the 265 
back and shoulders ; and he writhed, and many tears fell from 
him, and a bloody tumour rose upon his back, from the blow of 
the golden sceptre. And he sat down and trembled ; but, in 
pain and looking silly 5 , wiped away his tears. And the rest, 
although sullen 6 , laughed heartily at him : and thus, looking to 270 
his neighbour, one said to another : 

" Oh, doubtless, myriads of good deeds has Ulysses done before, 
both in originating plans, and directing ; but now this is far the 
best thing he has ever done among the Argives — stopped 7 this 
abusive slanderer's harangues. Surely his bold spirit 8 will not 275 
again for a long time urge him to insult kings with such scurri- 
lous language." 

Thus spake the crowd ; and Ulysses, destroyer of cities, arose, 

5 Although being a loud or sonorous orator — ironically. 6 Another. 

7 Thou, therefore, having kings in thy mouth, shouldst not harangue. 

8 i. e. as too good an occasion for abuse to be lost. 

9 i. e. we can only judge by the event — or, we know not all his motives; and 
yet you revile the king, as if he was known to be indisputably wrong. 
tw — in this case — under these circumstances. 
2 Reward him liberally — honour him highly. 
sx S££w — tell out, i. e. plainly. 

4 Seizing thee, strip off thy clothes, &c. 

5 Chop-fallen, abashed: — or coupling <*X£ sm w * tn ^ ax P u — seeing his tears to be 
useless, he wiped them away. 

6 i. e. displeased with Agamemnon. 7 og — who has stopped, &c. 
8 Ironically— for 6v^o$ ay'/jvwp are constantly used in a good 



28 ILIAD IL— Y. 280— 312. 

280 holding the sceptre ; and beside him blue-eyed Minerva, assum- 
ing the likeness of an herald, bade the people be silent, that 
both the first and the last 9 sons of the Achreans might together 
hear his speech, and understand the plan. He then prudently 
addressed them, and said : 

" Atrides, now would the Acheeans make thee, King, most 

285 contemptible in the eyes of all men 1 ; nor perform they the 
promise which they gave thee 2 , on coming hither from fertile 3 
Argos, — that thou shouldst 4 return after destroying well-fortified 
Ilium. For, like young children, or widowed women, they are 

290 weeping with one another to go home again. To be sure it is 
a desirable thing 5 to go home again, when a man is wearied with 
long absence. For one who is absent from his wife, even for a 
single month, laments beside his many-benched ship, which 

295 wintry winds and a stormy sea detain ; whereas the ninth year 
is rolling over us, and we are still remaining here. Therefore 
I am not offended that the Achaeans lament beside their high- 
beaked ships ; still taill it be disgraceful both to remain here so 
long, and to return empty 6 . Have patience, my friends, and 

300 stay yet awhile, that we may know whether Galenas prophesies 
with truth or not ; for well, indeed, this we already know, and 
you are all witnesses, whom deadly 7 fate has not of late 8 carried 
off 9 , that, when the ships of the Achseans were collected at 

305 Aulis, to bring evils upon Priam and the Trojans, and when we. 
around the fountain at the sacred altars, were offering perfect 1 
hecatombs to the immortals, beneath a beautiful plane-tree, 
whence flowed limpid water, there a great prodigy was seen. 
A terrible serpent, spotted upon the back, one 2 which the 
Olympian himself had sent into light, springing from beneath 

310 the altar, rushed straight towards the plane-tree. And there 
were there young ones of a sparrow, a callow brood 3 , concealed 
among the leaves, on the highest branch, eight of them, and the 

9 i. e. the nearest and most remote. 

1 pegoKStidt. See A. 250. 2 Which they undertook— stood under. 

3 Horse-feeding — with good pastures for horses. 

4 i. e. not return till thou hadst destroyed. 

5 H ju-tjv xa» «7rovog — it is worth any pains or labour. Ulysses allows long ab- 
sence from home is a good reason for wishing to return. 

Q i. e. without effecting our purpose. 7 x^psg Savarou. 

8 X^'? a TS X0Ll <7r '£ w '? a — yesterday and the day before — proyerbial for lately ; 
and alluding to the recent pestilence. 

9 s/3av pS£outfai — gone, taking with them. 

1 Full in number, or consummate in quality. 

2 7ov pa. 



ILIAD II— V. 313—343. 29 

mother who hatched the brood, made 4 the ninth. There he 
devoured them, shrieking piteously ; and the mother fluttered 
about, mourning over her beloved young j and then twisting 315 
herself round, he seized her, screaming, by the wing. And 
when he had devoured the young sparrows and the mother her- 
self, the God, who gave him to light 5 , made him an object of 
wonder ; for the son of wily Saturn mode him a stone 6 ; and we, 
standing there, were amazed at what was done. Such mighty 320 
portents of the gods then befel 7 the hecatombs ; and then, on the 
spot, Calchas, interpreting the will of the God, said : 6 Why are 
ye struck dumb, long-haired Achseans ? It is the all- wise Jove 8 
who has sent this prodigy, distant, and late of accomplishment 9 , 
but the glory of which shall never perish. As this serpent has 325 
devoured the young sparrows, and herself— eight, and the mother 
which hatched the brood made the ninth ; so shall we for a like 
number of years wage a war there (in Troy), and in the tenth 
we shall take the wide-streeted city. 7 In this manner did he 330 
harangue ; and all will now at last be now fulfilled. Come, 
then, well-armed Greeks, remain all of you here, until we cap- 
ture the great city of Priam." 

Thus he spake, and the Greeks shouted loud, and the ships 
around echoed fearfully, as the Greeks shouted — applauding the 335 
speech of divine Ulysses. Then Nestor, the Gerenian 1 chief 2 
also addressed them : 

u Oh, surely now like young children, to whom the works of 
war are no concern, are ye talking. What will become of our 
promises and oaths 3 ? In the fire 4 will they be — the plans and 340 
counsels of men, and the libations of undiluted wine, and the 
right hands 5 in which we trusted ? To no purpose 6 do we thus 
debate j we can discover no expedient 7 , although we have been 

4 Was. s Who showed him. 

6 i. e. changed him into a stone. 

7 Literally, enter into — i. e. occurred at the time. 

8 y.sya iir\risra Zsus. 

rspag o^ifAov, &c. — a token indicative of the event of the expedition, which, 
though remote, it promised, would be glorious. 

Ts^vioS — from Gerena, in Messenia, where he is said to have taken refuge, 
when Hercules sacked Pylos. 

2 i-7rtfo<ra — one who fought in cars — indicative of high-birth, or station. 

3 Literally — where shall your agreements and oaths go ? 

* L e. burnt with the victims, which were sacrificed to procure the sanction of 
the gods — sarcastically. 

5 Symbols of fidelity and adherence. 6 Dispute with words. 
7 i. e. for terminating the war. 



30 ILIAD II.— V. 345— 3SL 

here so long 8 . But do thou still, son of Atreus, as before, maln- 
345 taining thy plan unshaken, lead forth the Argives to hard bat- 
tles ; and leave them to rot, the one or two, who are planning, 
apart from the body of Achseans — but there will be no fulfilment 
of their plans — to return to Argos, before we know whether the 
promise of segis-bearing Jove be false or not 9 . For I affirm, 

350 that the almighty son of Saturn did promise 1 on that day, when 
the Argives embarked in their swift 2 ships, bearing death and 
destruction to the Trojans — by lightning upon the right, — show- 
ing propitious signs. Let none, therefore, hasten to return 

355 home, before each have slept with a Trojan wife 3 , and avenged 
the seizure and sorrows of Helen. And if any one long so ar- 
dently to return home, let him lay hold of his black ship, well- 
supplied with benches, that he may meet with death and his fate 4 

360 before the rest of us. But deliberate well thyself, O king, and 
be persuaded by another™ not to be despised will be the word 
I now speak 5 . Divide the troops, Agamemnon, into companies 
and squadrons, that squadron may support squadron, and com- 

365 pany support company. For if thou wilt do thus, and the 
Achseans obey, then wilt thou know which of the leaders, and 
which of the soldiers is a coward, and which of them is brave : 
for they will fight by themselves. And then wilt thou learn 
also if it be by divine interposition thou sackest not the city, or 
by the cowardice of men, and their unskilfulness in war." 
And the king, Agamemnon, answered him, and said: " Again, 

370 truly, old man, dost thou excel the sons of the Achaeans in coun- 
cil. Oh ! father Jove, Minerva, and ApolJo, would that there 
were to me of the Achseans ten such counsellors 6 . Then would 
the city of Priam quickly fall to the earth, captured by our hands, 

375 and destroyed. But aegis-bearing Jove, the son of Saturn, has 
sent troubles on me, who casts me upon idle quarrels and con- 
tentions. For I and Achilles have contended with hostile words 
about a girl, and I was the first to grow angry 7 . But if ever we 

3S0 be reconciled 8 , then shall the Trojans not have, respite from evil ; 
no, not a moment. Now then go to breakfast, that we may begin 

8 Though being here so long — perhaps, here in the assembly. 

9 Before we know of aegis-bearing Jove, whether his promise be a falsehood or 
not. 

1 Nodded. a Quick-going. 3 A wife of the Trojans. 

4 That he may overtake death and fate before others. 

5 i. e. The advice I give. 

6 Literally — fellow-counsellors — men who consult with me. 
7 ». e. I began the quarrel. 

8 eg fwav, 8c il. /3ouX?jv— have but one opinion. 



ILIAD II.— V. 382—400. 31 

the battle. Let each man sharpen well his spear, and make 
ready his shield 9 . Let him give a good feed to his swift-footed 
horses, and, examining his car on all sides prepare for war ; for 
we shall contend all day in fearful battle. And there shall be 385 
no cessation, not even a moment, till night coming on separate 
the ardour of men 1 . The strap of each man's protecting shield 
shall sweat on his breast, and his hand shall be weary with the 
spear 2 ; and each man's horse shall sweat with dragging the 
good 3 car. And whomsoever I shall observe wishing to idle at 390 
the high-beaked ships, he will not 4 be able afterwards to escape 
the dogs and birds." 

Thus he spake ; and the Argives shouted loud, as a wave upon 
a steep shore, when the south-wind, coming, shall dash it against 395 
a projecting rock, which the billows never quit, whatever winds 
'blow 5 , — when they are here or there. And getting up, they 
rushed from the assembly, dispersing to the ships ; and they 
lighted fires at their tents, and took their meal. And each, 
sacrificed to some one of the immortal Gods 6 , praying that he 400 
might escape death, and the conflict of Mars 7 . And king Aga- 
memnon offered up a fat ox, a five-year old, to the almighty son 
of Saturn ; and invited the elder chiefs 8 of all the Achseans. 
Nestor first and king Idomeneus, next the two A j axes, and the 405 
son of Tydeus, and sixth, Ulysses, equal in counsel to Jove. And 
the gallant 9 Menalaus came of his own accord, for he well knew 
his brother was very busy 1 . Then they stood round the ox, 
and lifted the salt and meal, and Agamemnon praying, in the 410 
midst of them, said : 

" Jove, most glorious, most great, enshrouded in dark clouds, 

9». e. clean it, &c. 

1 i. e. ends the battle. 

2 The thong of the man-protecting shield of each shall sweat upon his breast, 
and he shall be wearied as to his hand round the sword. 

3 Well-built, or smoothed and planed — workmanlike. 

oux a^ziov — he will not be able — there will be no means of escaping. 

5 Winds of all kinds — blowing from every quarter. 

6 And one sacrificed to one of the everlasting Gods, and another to another. 

7 i. e. the peril of battle. 

8 yspovras a£j*-T7jas— the princes— those, apparently, who had been of the 
council (line 53). 

9 Literally — good in the shout, — or the battle. 

1 For he knew in his mind his brother, how much he was engaged — i. e. in pre- 
paring the sacrifice ; and therefore did not wait for the formality of an invitation* 
Or rather, perhaps — he knew how anxious he was — with a reference to Agamem- 
non's difficult position, implying great delicacy of feeling. 



32 ILIAD II.—V. 413—450. 

and dwelling in the air, let not the sun set, nor darkness come 
upon the earth, before I cast headlong the palace of Priam 

415 burning ; and consume its gates with hostile lire : and cleave 
Hector's coat of mail upon his breast, pierced with my sword ; 
and O, may many of his comrades round him, prone in the dust, 
bite the dust 2 ." 

Thus he spake ; and the son of Saturn did not at all assent to 

120 his prayer 3 ; but he accepted the offering, and mightily increased 
the toil-. And when they had prayed, and cast the salt and 
barley, they drew back first the head of the victim, and cut its 
throat, and skinned it. Next they cut off the hind-legs, and 
covered them with the fat, making it double, and placed morsels 

425 of flesh upon them 4 . And these they then burnt with cleft 
wood without leaves 5 . Then taking up the viscera with the 
forks 6 , they held them over the fire. And when the legs were 
quite burnt, they tasted the viscera ; and then they divided the 
rest into small pieces, and pierced them with spits, and dressed 

130 them carefully, and drew them all off again. Then when they 
had accomplished their labour, and prepared the feast, they ate, 
nor were their appetites without a full feast. And when they 
had removed the desire of eating and drinking, Nestor, the 
Gerenian chief, began to address them : 

iC Most noble son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, no 

135 longer now let us loiter here, nor longer put off the work, which 
God will forthwith put into our hands. But come, let the 
heralds of the brazen-mailed Achaaans, summoning them, assem- 
ble the people at the ships ; and we will ourselves together go 

140 through the wide army of the Achasans, that we may the quicker 
rouse the keen fight 7 ." 

Thus he spake, nor did the king of men, Agamemnon, decline. 8 

Immediately he ordered the loud-tongued heralds to summon 

w the long-haired Achseans to battle. These gave the summons, 

44^ and the people speedily assembled ; and the heaven-protected 
kings, along with Atrides 9 , hastened to arrange them. And 
blue-eyed Minerva was among them, holding the precious Mgis, 
which was exempt from age and death. 1 . A hundred golden 
fringes hung round it, all well-wreathed, and each of the value 

450 f an hecatomb. With this she — flashing in every direction — 

2 o5a| — seize the earth with the teeth. 3 i. e. to take Troy that day. 
4 Compare A. 466, &c. 5 i. e. dry sticks. 

6 apirsipavTSS. See A. 463. 

7 Awake — rouse up sharp Mars — sharp, from the weapons of war. 

3 Nor was disobedient. 9 oi a^icpi, & c . i. e. Atrides and the kings, 
i Not subject to old age, and immortal. — i. e. imperishable. 



ILIAD IL— Y. 451—491. 33 

stirred up the Achseans, urging them to advance ; and in the 
heart of each she infused courage to war and fight indomitably. 
And in them, instantly, lighting 2 became more agreeable to them 
than returning, in their hollow ships, to their loved native land. 

As a raging fire consumes a huge forest upon the summits of 455 
a mountain, and the flame is seen from afar : so, as they advanced, 
the glittering splendour of their beautiful armour ascended 
through the air to heaven. 

And of these — as many flocks of flying birds, geese, or cranes, 460 
or long-necked swans, in Asiatic meadows, on the streams of 
Caystros, fly from all quarters 3 , flapping with their wings, while 
alighting 4 , with screams the meadow rings ; so of the Achseans 
did many nations, from the ships and tents, rush 5 into the plain 
of Scamander. And the earth echoed fearfully under the feet 465 
of themselves and their horses : and upon the flowery vale of 
Scamander, stood myriads, numerous as are flowers and leaves 
in spring. 

As many as are the swarms of crowding flies, which hover 
round the shepherd's fold in the season of spring, and when 470 
the milk-pails are full of milk ; so numerous stood the long- 
haired Achaeans upon the plain against the Trojans, eager to 
destroy them. 

And these, — as goatherds easily separate large flocks of goats, 
when they have mixed in the pasture, so did the commanders 475 
every where arrange 6 them to march to battle; and in the 
midst stood king Agamemnon, in eye and head like thundering 
Jove, with a belt 7 like Mars, and a breast like Neptune. 

As the bull in a herd is most conspicuous of all 8 , for he sur- 480 
passes the collected cattle : such on that day did Jove make 
Agamemnon, distinguished and conspicuous among many heroes : 

Tell me now, ye Muses, who dwell in mansions of Olympus, 
(for ye are goddesses, are ever present, and know all ; whilst we 485 
hear rumours only, and know nothing with certainty,) who were 
the leaders and chiefs of the Danaans. For I could not describe 
nor name the mass, not if I had 9 ten tongues, ten mouths, a voice 490 
indomitable 1 , and a brazen heart within me ; did not the Ofympic 

2 toXsjxoS. i 3 svGu xoli sv&a. 

4 Alighting — rushing forward, or rather downward, to alight. 

5 Were poured, — or poured themselves. 

6 Siaxotinew £vQa xai evQa — drew up, some here, some there — in order, or bat- 
tle array. 

7 i. e. what the belt encircled — the frame — or its strength and vigour. 

8 i. e. of all the cattle in that herd. 9 Lit. — were to Hie. 
1 Not to be broken — that would never fail, or become hoarse. 

4 



34 ILIAD II.— V. 492—528. 

Muses, daughters of a?gis-bearing Jove, remind me of as many 
as 2 came to Flium. Therefore I will now rehearse the com- 
manders of the ships, and all the vessels. 

Peneleus and LeYtus, Arcesilaus, Prothoenor and Clonius, 

495 commanded the Bceotians ; and those who dwelt at Hyria, and 
the rocky Aulis, and Schoenus, and Scolus, and the hilly Eteon, 
Thespeia, and Grcea, and the spacious Mycalessus ; and those 
who inhabited Harma 3 , Ilesium, and Erythne; and those who 

500 possessed Eleon, and Hyla, and Peteon, Ocalea, and Medion, a 
well-built town, Copse, and Eutresis, and Thisbe, abounding in 
doves; and those who held Coroneia, and grassy Haliartus 4 , and 
those who occupied Platasa, and those who lived in Glissas, and 

505 those who held Hypothebse, a well-built town ; and Onchestus, 
a beautiful grove, sacred to Neptune 5 . Those likewise who 
possessed Arne, abounding in vines, and Mideia, and glorious 
Nissa, and the farthest 5 Anthedon. Belonging to these went fifty 

&W ships, and in each embarked one hundred and twenty Boeotian 
youths. 

And those who inhabited Aspledon, and the Minyeian Orcho- 
menus, Ascalapus and lalmenus commanded, sons of Mars, whom 

°^ Astyoche bare in the mansion of Actor, son of Azeus, — once a 
chaste maiden 7 — entering the women's apartments 8 , bore to 
brave Mars; for he had by stealth slept with her. Of these, 
thirty hollow ships went in their ranks. 

And Schedius and Epistrophus, sons of Iphitus, the brave son 
of Nauboles, commanded the Phoceans— those who possessed 

5*0 Cyparissus, and rocky Python, and beautiful Crissa, and Daulis, 
and Panopeus, and those who inhabited the country round 
Anemoreia and Hyampolis ; and those who dwelt by the noble 
river of Cephissus, and who possessed Lilsca, at the source of 
the Cephissus. With these came 9 forty black ships. These 
(Schedius and Epistrophus), commanding, drew up the ranks of 

5™ Phoceans, and placed them 1 next to the Boeotians, upon the left. 

And swift Ajax, son of Oileus, commanded the Locrians. 

He was a smaller man, not so large as the Telamonian Ajax, but 

much less. Little he was, with a corslet of linen ; but in the 

2 All. 3 Those who live about Harma — i. e. Harma and its neighbourhood, 

4 i. e. with good or abundant pastures. 

5 Sacred spot, Neptunian, a beautiful grove — scil. TS(XSvog. Compare I. 696. 

6 i. e. at the extremity of the territory of the Boeotians. ' 

7 A chaste maiden — that is, before her connexion with Mars. 

8 Ascending to the upper rooms — i, e. at her father's in the apartments allotted 
to the females of the family. 

9 Followed. t Armed. 



ILIAD II.— V. 530—559. 35 

use of the spear he excelled all the Hellenes and Achseans 2 . 530 
He commanded those who inhabited Cynus, and Opoeis, and 
Calliarum, and Bessa, and Scarpha, and Pleasant Augeiae, and 
Tarpha, and Thronium, on the streams of Boagrius. And with 
him came thirty black ships of the Locrians, who dwell beyond 
sacred Eubcea 3 . 535 

And the brave 4 Abantes, who possessed Euboea, and Chalcis, 
and Eretria, and Histiasa, abundant in vines, and Cerinthus, on 
the sea-coast, and the hill-town of Dios, and those who possessed 
Carystus, and those who inhabited Styra — these next Elephenor 540 
led, branch of Mars 5 , the son of Chalcodon, the chief of the brave 
Abantes. With him came the active Abantes, with their hair 
hanging down upon their backs 6 , warriors 7 trained with ashen 
spears, to break the corslets of the enemy on their breasts : and 
forty black ships accompanied him. 545 

And next those who inhabited Athens, a well-built town, the 
people of the great Erechtheus, whom of old Minerva, daughter 
of Jove, brought up, (but the bountiful Earth produced him,) 
and placed him also at Athens, in her own rich temple — there 8 
the Athenian youth, as the j^ears revolve 9 , propitiate him with 550 
bulls and rams — These (i. e. the Athenians) next, Menestheus, 
son of Peteus, led. No mortal 10 man ever equalled him in the 
arraying of war-cars 1 and armed men 2 . Nestor alone could con- 
tend with him — for he was older 3 . And fifty black ships ac- 555 
companied him. 

And Ajax brought from Salami s twelve ships, and he led, and 
placed them 4 , where stood the lines of the Athenians. 

And those who possessed Argos, and the walled-town of 

2 i.e. all the army — which consisted of Hellenes (from Thessaly), Achseans 
and Argives. 

3 Which seems to indicate that the poet lived to the eastward of Eubcea; i. e* 
somewhere in the isles, or on the Asiatic coast. 

4 Lit. — Breathing strength. 

5 i. e. of the stock of Mars — a descendant. 

6 Hairy behind — with hair on the back of the head only — contrasted with the 
rest of the Achasans. ' Spearmen. 

8 As was the case with other heroes — Palamon, for instance, in Neptune's 
temple at Corinth. 

8 i. e. once a year — at the end of every year. 

10 To him never was a man of those upon earth equal to arrange. 

i iitirovi — there were no cavalry, in the modern sense. 

2 Men with shields — the infantry. 

3 And so, i. e. of more experience. 

4 And leading, he posted them. 



36 ILIAD II— Y. 560—595. 

560 Tiryns, Hermoine, and Asine, which stand within a deep bay 5 ; 
Troezen, and Eionae, and Epidaurus, abounding in vines ; and 
the Achssan youth, who occupied iEgina, and Mases — these, 
next, brave 6 Diomedes commanded, and Stheneius, the beloved 

565 son of illustrious Capaneus. And with them a third in command^ 
went Euryalus, a godlike man, a son of Mecisteus, and grandson 
of king Talaus. But the warrior Diomedes commanded the 
whole 7 , and with him came eighty black ships. 

And those who possessed Mycenje, a well-built town, and 

570 wealthy Corinth, and well-built Cleonae ; and those who inhabi- 
ted Orneise, and pleasant Arsethrea and Sicyon, the place 8 where 
Adrastus first reigned ; and those who occupied Hyperesia, and 
lofty Gonoessa, and Pellena; and those who dwelt round JEgium, 

o75 and along all the coast 9 , and by the broad Helice 1 — these in a 
hundred ships, King Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, commanded. 
With him indeed came far the most numerous and the best 
troops ; and he buckled on his shining mail, exulting that he 

3§0 surpassed all the heroes ; for he was the mightiest, and led the 
most numerous forces. 

And those who possessed the vast vale 2 of Laced^emon, and 

those who inhabited Phare, and Sparta, and Messa, abounding 

• ' with doves, and Bryseise, and the delightful Augeise ; and those 

585 also who held Amyclae, and Helos, a town on the coast ; and 
those who possessed Laas, and dwelt around CEtylus— these his 
brother, the brave Menelaus, commanded, with sixty ships ; but 
they were kept apart from Agamem?io?i , s 3 . And he himself 
went confiding in his own energies 4 , urging them to war ; for 

590 he was especially eager to avenge the seizure and the sorrows 
of Helen. 

And those who inhabited Pylus, and those who dwelt in the 
pleasant Arene, and Thryus, a ford 5 of the Alphreus, and well- 
built iEpy, and Cyparisseeis, and Amphigeneia, and Ptelius, and 
Helos, and Dorion — where the Muses meeting Thamyris, the 

595 Thracian, as he came from CEchalia, and from Eurytus, the 

5 Having a deep bay, i. e. in the Sinus Argolicus. 

e /3ov]v ayaftos— good at the shout, or battle. 

7 i. e. he was commander-in-chief of the Arrives, specifically so styled. 

s oP otf a. « 9 i. e . the coast of Achaia. 

1 A river apparently. 

2 The vast hollow Lacedaemon. xrjTWSffffav from X7)<ro£, which seems to indi- 
cate whatever is of great magnitude. 

3 Armed, or equipped, apart. 

4 i. e. ardent, and full of confidence. 

5 Where the river was fordable — or where a regular ferry was established. 






ILIAD II.— V. 596—631. 37 

(Echalian 6 , silenced his singing 7 ; for he had, boasting, affirmed, 
that if the Muses themselves, the daughters of Eegis-bearing 
Jove, should sing against him, he would excel them : and they, 
indignant, made him blind, and deprived him of his divine power 
of song 8 , and made him forget the use of the lyre — these next, 600 
Nestor, the Gerenian chief, commanded, and ninety hollow ships 
went in their lines with him. 

And those who occupied Arcadia, at the foot of the lofty 
mountain of Cyllene, beside the tomb of iEpytus, where the 
men fight hand to hand 9 ; and those who dwelt at Pheneus and 605 
occupied Orchomenus, abundant in flocks, and Rhipe, and Stratia. 
and windy 1 Enispe, and Tegea, and those who possessed pleasant 
Mantinea, and Stymphelus, and lived in Parrhasia — these king 
Agapenor, the son of Ancaeus, commanded, with sixty ships; 610 
and in each vessel went many Arcadian men, skilful in war. 
Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, king of men, had himself sup- 
plied them with ships, well fitted with benches, that they might 
cross the dark 2 sea ; for they themselves paid no attention to sea 
matters 3 . 

Next were those who inhabited Buprasium and noble Elis, 615 
as much as Hyrmina and distant 4 Myrsinus, and the Olenian 
rock, and Alisium, comprise within them. Of these there were 
four commanders ; and ten swift ships followed each man, and 
many Epeians were on board 5 . The first and second divisions 
Amphimachus and Thalpius led, the one 6 the son of Cteatus, 620 
and the other of Eury tus, son of Actor ; brave Diores, the son 
of Amarynceus, led the third ; and the fourth division godlike 
Polyxenus, son of Agasthenes, and grandson of king Augeias, 
commanded. 

And those from Dulichium, and the sacred islands, the 625 
Schinje, which are situated 7 across the sea, opposite to Elis — 
these next Meges, the son of Phyleus, equal to Mars, commanded; 
whose father s , beloved of Jove, was the noble 9 Phyleus, who had 
migrated to Dulichium, being angry with his father ; and forty 630 
black ships accompanied him. 

6 Or son of CEchaleus. i Caused his sing ng to cease. 

8 Took away his divine song. 

9 Equivalent to affTnchwraj — i. e. men who fought with shield and spear — not 
archers. 

1 i. e. exposed to the winds — high. 

2 Of the appearance, or colour of wine. 

3 For maritime affairs were not a care to them. 4 On the confines. 
5 i. e. of each vessel. 6 Sons, the one of. 

7 vaiQVtfi. 8 Whom Phyleus begot. 9 itftfora. 



38 ILIAD II.— Y. 632—670. 

And Ulysses led the brave Cephalleneans — those who pos- 
sessed Ithaca, and Neritus, full of woods 1 , and those who inhabited 
Crocyleia, and rugged iEgilips, and those who held Zacynthus ; 

635 and those who dwelt at Samos ; and those who occupied Epeirus, 
and dwelt upon the opposite shores. These Ulysses, equal to 
Jove in counsel, commanded, and with him came twelve ships, 
with their prows painted red. 

And Thoas, a son of Andnemon, commanded the .ZEtolians — 
those who inhabited Pleuro, and Olenos, and Pylene, and Chalcis, 

640 on the sea coast, and rocky Calydon. For the sons of brave 
(Eneus no longer survived, nor was he himself still alive, and 
the handsome 2 Meleager was dead. To him (Thoas), therefore, 
full powers were given 3 to command the iEtolians : and with 
him came forty black ships. 

645 And the famous 4 Idomeneus led the Cretans — those who 
possessed Cnossus, and Gortys, girt with walls, Lyctus, and 
Miletus, and white 5 Lycastus, and Phsestus, and Rhytius, well- 
peopled cities, and others who dwelt in Crete, an island of an 

650 hundred cities. These then the famous Idomeneus commanded, 
and Meriones, equal to man-slaying Mars. And with them came 
eighty black ships. 

And Tlepolemus, the son of Hercules, handsome and tall 6 , led 
from Rhodes nine ships with bold Rhodians — those who in- 

655 habited Rhodes, settled in three districts, at Lindus, Ielyssus, 
and white Cameirus. Their leader was the famous Tlepolemus, 
the son of mighty Hercules 7 by Astyocheia, whom he brought 
from Ephyre, from the river Selleeis, after having laid waste 

660 many towns of noble chiefs. But Tlepolemus, after he had grown 

up in the well-built house, very soon 8 killed the loved uncle of 

his mother, the aged Lycimnius, a branch of Mars. In haste he 

_ built ships, and having collected a large force, fled 9 across the 

6"5 sea . f or the ther sons and grandsons of the mighty Hercules 
threatened him. And he came to Rhodes, after roaming long, 
and suffering hardships. And they (i. e. Tlepolemus, and his 

6~0 people) were placed in three divisions 1 , and were beloved by 

1 Neritus, where leaves are shaken. 

2 Yellow ; i. e. as to his hair — unless a sun-burnt complexion is indicated. 

3 To him, therefore, was it in all things entrusted. 

4 Distinguished in the use of the spear — an epithet applied to the most eminent 
men of the army. 

5 From the chalk — built on chalk-hills. 

c TjDg tS \kzya.s <r£. 7 To Herculean might — Hercules himself. 

3 i. e. in his first manhood — killed by accident. 

» He went fleeing over the sea. l Triply — in tribes, or castes. 



ILIAD II.— V. 671—703. 39 

Jove, who governs gods and men; and the son of Saturn poured 
much wealth upon them 2 . 

And next Nireus led from Syma three good 3 ships — Nireus, 
the son of Aglaia, and of king Charops — Nireus, who was the 
handsomest man of all the Danaans who came to Ilium, next to 675 
the noble Achilles. But he was feeble 4 , and a small force followed 
him. 

And next were those who possessed Nisyrtjs, and Crapathus. 
and Casus, and Cos, a town belonging to Eurypylus, and the 
Calydnean Isles. These then Phidippus and Antiphus com- 
manded, two sons of king Thessalus, the son of Hercules ; and 680 
thirty hollow ships of theirs went with the fleet. 5 

Now, as to all 6 who dwelt in Pelasgic Argos, and those who 
inhabited Alus, and Alope, and Trechis, and those who occupied 
Phthia and Hellas, famed for beautiful women ; and who were 
called Myrmidons, and Hellenes, and Achseans: of these, in fifty 685 
ships, Achilles was the commander. But these took no heed of 
dire- sounding war; for there was no one to lead them to the 
•ranks ; for swift-footed Achilles lay at his ships, indignant on 
account of the young fair-haired Briseis, whom he had chosen 
out of Lyrnessus 7 , after having endured many toils, and laid 690 
waste Lyrnessus, and the walls of Thebe. Then likewise he 
smote Mynes and Epistrophus. the warriors, sons of king Euenus, 
the son of king Selepias. For her sake he lay sighing 8 , but 
was soon to rise again. 

And those who possessed Piiylace, and flowery Pyrrhasus, a 695 
region sacred to Ceres 9 , and Iton, mother 1 of flocks, and Antron, 
on the sea coast, and grassy Pteleus ; these the warlike Protesi- 
laus, commanded while he lived ; but now the dark earth con- ?™ 
tained him 2 . And his afflicted 3 spouse had been left at Phylace, 
and his mansion half-finished ; for a Dardan slew him, as, first of 
the Acha?ans, he was leaping from his ship 4 . But, though they 
mourned for their chief, they were not without a commander ; 

2 Divine wealth, i. e. as usual, great, 

3 ziiJai — on both quarters — symmetrically, or well built. 

* aXairafSvog — referring rather to political than personal deficiency. 
s Went in order, or in the line. 

6 Nuv av rovZ, oCCoi, &c. 

7 i. e. whom he had received as his share of the spoils of Lyrnessus. 

8 *. e. sullen and brooding revenge. 

9 A*jjX7]T£oS TS/ASVOS. Compare 50G. » i. e. with good pastures. 

2 Held him under. 

3 Her cheeks both torn — through grief. 

4 A Dardan man slew him, leaping from his ship, far the first of the Greeks. 



40 ILIAD IL— V. 704—743. 

for Podarces, a branch of Mars ; commanded them, the son of 

705 Iphiclus, son of Phylacus, rich in flocks, own brother of brave 
Protesilaus, but younger by birth. The warlike hero Protesi- 
laus was both older and more valiant ; yet the people were in no 
want of a leader, though they regretted the loss of him who was 

710 brave. With him then came forty black ships. , 

And those who dwelt at Pher,e, by the Roebean lake, at 
Bebe, and Glaphyre, and well-built laolchus — these, in eleven 
ships, Eumelus, and the loved son of Admetus, commanded, whom 

715 Alcestis, loveliest of women 5 , fairest 6 of the daughters of Peleus r 
bore to Admetus. 

Next were those who inhabited Methone and Thaumacia, 
and possessed Meliboea, and rugged Olizon — these, in seven ships, 
Philoctetes, skilful 7 in the bow commanded ; and iifty rowers 
embarked in each, skilled in the bow so as men trained to fight 

720 bravely. But he lay, suffering great pain, in the beautiful island 
of Lemnos, where the sons of the Achaeans had left him, afflicted 
with a bad ulcer, from the bite of a deadly snake. There he lay 
in pain, but the Argives, at the ships of king Philoctetes, were 

725 soon to remember him. Neither were his people without a 
leader, although they regretted 8 their chief ; for Medon, a bastard 
son of Oileus, commanded them — he whom Rhene bore to 
0'ileus, destroyer of cities. 

And those who possessed Tricca, and mountainous Ithome, 

730 and those who held (Echalia, the city of Eurytus, the GEchalian 9 
— these, next, two sons of iEsculapius, skilful surgeons, Podalei- 
rius and Machaon commanded ; and with them went thirty hol- 
low ships in the fleet 1 . 

And those who occupied Ormenium, and the fountain Hype- 

735 reia, and those who possessed Asterium and the white summits 
of Titanos — -these Eurypylus, the noble son of Evsemon, com- 
manded ; and with him came forty black ships. 

And those who held Argissa, and inhabited Gyrtone, Orthe. 
and Elone, and the white town of Oloosson — these, next, the 

740 brave 2 Polypoetes led, the son of Pirithcus, whose father was 
immortal Jove — he whom the illustrious Hippoclameia bore to 
Pirithous on that day, in which he took revenge on the shaggy 
centaurs ; for 3 he expelled them from Pelion, and drove them to 

5 8iol yvvowcuv. 6 sj<5os a^ffr-yj. 

7 Bows — pi. i. e. bows and arrows. 

8 i. e. his absence. 9 Or, a son of CEchalius, line 59G. 

1 In lines — or in the line. 

2 fxsvs<7rroXsf/-os — stout or stalwart, capable of sustaining the heat of battle. 

3 OS supplying the place of ycf. p — often. 



ILIAD II.— V. 745— 7S3. 41 

iEthicae. He ( Polyp oetes) was not the sole commander, for with 745 
him was Leonteus, a branch of Mars, the son of the noble 
Coronus, son of Cseneus ; and with them came forty black ships. 

And Guneus led two-and-twenty ships from Cyphus ; and 
with him came the Enienes, and the brave 4 Pereebi ; those who 
had fixed their abodes around cold Dodone, and those who culti- 750 
vated the fields on both sides of the agreeable Titaresius, which 
pours its fair-flowing waters into the Peneius. Yet it mixes not 
with the silver waves of Peneius, but flows a-top of it, like oil : 755 
for it is a branch of the Stygean water, the awful oath. 

And Prothoiis, son of Tenthredon, commanded the Magnates, 
— those who dwelt by the banks of Peneius, and the dense for- 
ests 5 of Pelion. These the swift Prothoiis led, and with him 
came forty black ships. 

These then were the leaders and chiefs of the Danaans. But 760 
tell me, O muse, which of these was the best, both of warriors 6 
and of horses, who accompanied the sons of Atreus ? By far 
the best steeds were the mares of Pheretiades, which Eumelus 
drove, fleet — like birds — of the same colour, the same age, and '65 
the same height. Apollo, of the silver bow, bred them in Pieria. 
both mares, and fit for the battle-field 8 . But of the warriors, 
Telamonian Ajax was by far the mightiest, as long as Achilles 
was in anger ; for he (Achilles) was the most valiant, and the 
horses which bore the glorious son of Peleus were the best. 770 
But he lay in his curved sea-crossing ships, enraged against the 
son of Atreus, Agamemnon, shepherd of the people ; and his 
men, by the shore of the sea, amused themselves with hurling 
quoits, and javelins, and arrows ; and the horses stood each 7/5 
beside their cars, feeding upon lotus, and fen-parsley 9 ; and the 
cars, carefully covered, stood in the tents of their masters. And 
the men wandered about the army every where, regretting 1 the 
inactivity of their warlike chief, and joined not in the fight 2 . 

And then the troops advanced, as if the whole country was 780 
devoured with fire 3 , and the earth groaned beneath them ; as 
when the thunderer Jove, enraged, struck the ground close to 
Typhoeus, at Arima, where, they say, is the bed of Typhoeus. 

4 fXSVcTToXsfAOa — stout or stalwart, capable of sustaining the heat of battle. 

s gjvoffipuXXov — whose leaves, or forests, wave. 

6 Of themselves. 1 And equal at the back by the plumb-line. 

8 Bearing the terror of Mars— i. e. so as to make the enemy fly. 

9 What grows in fens. 

1 Longing for their chief—/, e. to lead them to battle. 2 And did not. fight. 

3 i. e. like a spreading fire — as rapid as fire spreads over fields of dry herbage or 
corn. 



42 ILIAD II— V. 784— SIS. 

Thus heavily, then, did the earth groan beneath their feet, as 

TS5 they marched 4 ; and they crossed, with great speed, the plain. 
And now to the Trojans came Iris, swift as the wind 5 , a 
messenger from asgis-bearing Jove, with the sad intelligence. 
And they were, young and old, all assembled, talking together, 

"'90 at the gates of Priam. Standing near them, the swift-footed 
Iris spoke ; and made her voice like that of Polites, the son of 
Priam, who trusting to his speed, sat upon the highest point of 
aged Esyetes' tomb, as a sentinel for the Trojans, watching 

795 when the Achseans should advance from their ships. Taking 
his likeness upon her, swift-footed Iris said : 

" Endless words are ever agreeable to thee, old man, as if it 
were a time of peace : though an inevitable battle is at hand 7 . 
Many a battle before 8 have I witnessed ; but such and so great 

800 an army I have never seen : for, in numbers 9 like leaves or the 
sands, they advance across the plain, lo fight round the city. 
Therefore, Hector, I enjoin thee earnestly, and do thou thus act 
— for at Priam's great city there are many allies, and their lan- 
guages differ 1 — let each man give orders to his own people, and 

805 let him lead them, taking the command 2 of his own townsmen." 

Thus she spake, and Hector did not disregard 3 the advice of 

the goddess, but forthwith broke up the assembly; and they 

rushed to arms. Then all the gates were thrown open, and the 

810 people, horse and foot, rushed out, and a mighty tumult arose. 
In front of the city, on the plain, apart, there is a rising 
mound, accessible on all sides 4 , which men indeed call Batieia, 
but the immortals, the tomb of the fleet Myrinna 5 . There the 

§15 Trojans and their allies were marshalled 6 . 

The mighty 7 and impetuous 8 Hector, son of Priam, command- 
ed the Trojans" — with him, indeed, marched 9 the most numer- 
ous and bravest troops, skilful with the spear. 

4 Of them marching. 5 Equal in her feet to wind. 

6 dsypsvos — observing— on the look-out. 7 Or arises. 

8 Certainly before, very often, battles of men have I gone into. 9 Xjtjv. 

1 Other is the language of other men — of many seeds — i. e. the language of one 
differs from that of another — of men of different nations. 

2 Arranging. 3 Was not ignorant of. 

4 That may be run round on this side and on that. 

5 An Amazon — allusive of her own speed or that of her horses. 

6 Divided. 7 /xsyas — as to stature. 

8 KO£u#a»oXog — etymologically — a man whose helmet, i. e. the crest of it, is 
shaken, or in rapid motion ; and indicates the activity and energy of the wearer. 
The epithet is applied, among mortals, only to Hector. Mars, among the gods, 
has the same distinction. 9 Were armed. 



ILIAD II.~-V. 819—855. 43 

The Dardans next, iEneas, the handsome son of Anchisses, 
commanded — he whom divine Venus bore to Anchises on the 820 
heights of Ida ; a goddess, who slept with a mortal. He was 
not the sole commander, for with him were two sons of Antenor, 
Archilochus and Acamas, both skilful in every fight 1 . 

And the Trojans who inhabited Zeleia, at the lowest foot of 
Ida, opulent mem who drink the dark waters of the iEsepus — 825 
these next, Pandarus, the noble son of Lycaon, led, to whom 
Apollo himself had given a bow. 

And those who possessed Adrasta, and the district of Apsesus, 
and held Pyteia, and the lofty mountain of Tereia — them Adras- 
tus commanded, and Amphius, whose corselet was of linen, the 830 
two sons of Percosian Merops, who was skilled above all 2 in the 
prophetic art, and had refused 3 his consent to his sons to go to 
deadly war. But they would not be persuaded ; for their fate 4 
led them on. 

Next those who inhabited Percote and Practium, and pos- 935 
sessed Sestus, and Abydos, and beautifnl Arisba — these Asius 
Hyrtacides. their chief, commanded — Asius Hyrtacides, whom 
fiery 5 and mighty steeds brought from Arisba, from the river 
f Selleeis. 

And Hippothoos led the bands of those Pelasgians, skilled in 840 
the use of the spear, who inhabited fertile Larissa. These 
Hippothoos commanded, and Pylaeus, a branch of Mars, the two 
sons of Lethus, the Pelasgian, son of Teutamis. 

Next Acamas, and the hero Peiroos, led all the Thracians 6 , 
whom the rapid 7 Hellespont encloses. 845 

And Euphenes, a son of Troezenus, son of Jove-supported 
Ceas, was commander of the warlike Cicones. 

Next Pyraschmes led the PiEONiANs, armed with bent bows, 
from Amydon, far off, from the wide-flowing Axius — Axius, 
whose beautiful waters spread 8 the fairest upon the earth. 850 

And the bold heart of Pylsemenes led the Paphlagonians, 
who were of the Eneti, (from whose country comes a breed of 
forest 9 mules) — those who possessed Cytorus, and dwelt at 
Sesamus, and inhabited, noble mansions by the river Parthenius, 
and Cromna, and iEgialus, and the Erythine hills. 855 

1 i. e. in every mode of fighting. 2 He knew above all. 

3 Did not suffer. 4 The fate of black death. 

5 Unless the word indicates the colour or appearance. - 

6 Meaning those of the Thracian Chersonesus, of which the Hellespont form* 
the southern boundary. 

7 i. e. with a strong current. 

8 j. e. apparently long and broad. 9 Or wild. 



44 ILIAD II.— V. 856—878. 

Next Odius and Epistrophus led the Halizonians from Alybe, 
far off, where is a silver mine 1 . 

And Chromis commanded the Mysians, and Ennomus ; the 
augur. Yet he did not by his auguries escape black death, but 
860 was drowned by the hands of the swift-footed iEacides in the 
river, where indeed he (Achilles) slew also other Trojans. 

Next Phorcys led the Phrygians, along with the godlike 
Ascanius, from Ascania, far off; and they burned for the combat 2 . 

Next Mesthles and Antipus, sons of Talsemenes, to whom the 
865 Gygsean lake gave birth 3 , commanded the Mceonians. These 
also led the Moeonians, who were natives 4 of Tmolus. 

Next Nastes commanded the Carians, of barbarous tongue — 
those who possessed Miletus, and the wooded hill of Phthirse, 
and the streams of Mseander, and the lofty summits of Mycale. 
These, then, Amphimachus and Nastes led — Nastes and Amphi- 
870 machus, the noble sons of Nomion, who foolishly went to war, 
covered with gold 5 , like a girl. But it did not save him from 
cruel fate, for he was drowned in the river by the hands of the 
^75 swift-footed Achilles ; and Achilles, skilled in war, plundered 
the gold. ■ 

And Sarpedon and the good Glaucus led the Lycians, from 
Lycia, far off, from the deep Xanthus 6 . 

1 Whence is the beginning or birth of silver. 

2 And they were eager to fight in battle. 

3 i. e. who were born and brought up on the shores of the Gygsean lake, near 
Sardis. 4 Born at the foot of Tmolus. 

5 Having gold — i. e. with gold chains and ornaments about him. 

6 With waves, implying a large body of water. 

END OF ILIAD II. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMEK 



BOOK III. 



ARGUMENT. 

The armies meet. Paris challenges the Grecian princes. Menelaus accepts the 
challenge. The terms of the combat are adjusted by Agamemnon on the part 
of Greece, and*by Priam on that of Troy. The combat. Paris vanquished, 
but rescued by Venus. Agamemnon demands from the Trojans a performance 
of the contract. 

Now when the armies were marshalled, each along with their 
respective leaders, the Trojans advanced, with a clamour and a 
shout, like birds — as is the scream of cranes up through the sky 
— those which, when they fly from the winter and excessive 
rains, wing their way, with a scream over the floods of Oceanus, 5 
carrying death and destruction to the Pigmies 1 : and these, early, 
bear onward dire strife 2 . But the Acnaeans marched on in si- 
lence, breathing forth valour; and resolute 3 to support each 
other. 

As the south wind spreads 4 a mist upon the brow of a moun- 10 
tain, by no means agreeable to the shepherd, but to the robber 
better than night, in which a man sees as far only as he cari cast 
a stone : — so rose the troubled dust under their feet, as they ad- 
vanced ; and they crossed the plain very rapidly. 

And when now they were close, coming upon one another, the 15 
god-like Alexander 5 advanced in front 6 of the Trojans, with the 
skin of a panther on his shoulders, and with a bent bow, and a 

t 

1 Pygmaean men. 

2 i. e. Upon the pigmies — while the Trojans do so upon the Achseans. 

3 sv dujxw psnaures. 4 Poured down. 

5 Paris. o crpo/J-oc^ev, was fighting in the Tan. 



46 ILIAD III— V. 19—51. 

sword. And, shaking two brazen-pointed 7 spears, he challenged 

20 all the bravest of the Argives to fight him 8 front to front in 
deadly combat. 

And when Menelaus, beloved of Mars, perceived him advan- 
cing with long strides 9 before the army, he rejoiced like a lion 
who lights 1 upon a huge carcase, finding either a horned stag or 

25 a wild goat — hungry, for he greedily devours it, although swift- 
dogs and vigorous youths pursue him; thus rejoiced Menelaus 
when he beheld the god-like Alexander 2 , for he said he should 
now have his revenge on the offender; and immediately he 
leaped with his armour from his car to the ground. 

30 And when the godlike Alexander observed him appearing in 
the van, he was dismayed 3 , and retired back into the lines 4 of 
his comrades to avoid death 5 . And as when one seeing a ser- 
pent in the forests of a mountain, recoiling, starts back ; and a 
trembling seizes his limbs, and he retreats, and paleness over- 

35 spreads his countenance 6 ; — thus godlike Alexander retired into 
the ranks of the bold Trojans, fearing the son of Atreus. 

And Hector, seeing this, reproved him with rough 7 words : 
"Miserable 8 Paris, most f tir in form 9 , women-mad, women-se- 

40 ducer 1 , would that thou hadst never been born, or had died un- 
married. I should have preferred it, and it would have been 
much more advantageous, than that thou shouldst thus be a dis- 
grace and scandal to others. Well may the long-haired Achseans 
laugh, expecting thee to be a prime champion, because thy per- 

45 son was handsome — but there is no strength nor courage in thy 
heart. What, being such a coivard, traversing the deep in sea- 
crossing 2 ships, with thy loved comrades 3 , and mingling with 
foreigners, didst thou carry off' the fair woman from the Apian 
land, the relative 4 of warlike men — to he a great calamity to 

50 thy father, and the city, and the whole people — a glory to the 
enemy, and a disgrace to thyself? Couldst thou not await the 

7 Pointed with brass. 8 au<n/3tov. 

9 Striding along. » Having lighted upon. 

2 When he saw with his eyes Alexander of the godlike form. 

3 He was dismayed in his loved, i. e. his own heart. 

4 sdvog hmguv. 5 Avoiding death. 

6 Paleness has taken him on the cheeks. 

7 ^XP ' 5 — words calculated to shame him. 

8 dutiirapis. 9 i. e. in form only. ' A deceiver. 

9 Meaning large and strong vessels, capable of sustaining distant voyages. 

3 Collecting or taking with thee, thy loved comrades. 

4 vuov — strictly, a son's wife ; but more loosely, any female connected by mar- 
riage ; or, as here, probably one who had been sought in marriage by many. 



JAD IIL-T. 53—85 47 

warlike Menelaus, and learn how brave is the man, whose bloom- 
ing spouse thou hast ? The lyre would not avail, thee, nor the 
gifts of Venus, thy hair,\nor thy beauty, when thou wert min- 55 
gled in the dust. The T^rojans are indeed poor-spirited, or thou 
Wouldst before this have worn a stone-coat 5 , on account of the 
evils thou hast wrought." 

Then the godlike Alexander in reply said : " Hector, / will 
not defend myself, for thou reprovest me as I deserve, and not 
unjustly. But judge not of me by thyself Thy heart is ever 60 
indomitable 6 , like an axe, which penetrates wood by the guidance 
of a man — by him who skilfully cuts down ship-timber 7 — and it 
aids the man's strength. Such an invincible spirit hast thou in 
thy breast. Upbraid me not for the loved gifts of golden Ye- 
nus. For by no means are the glorious gifts of the Gods to be 65 
rejected, which themselves bestow, and which none can assume 
at pleasure 8 . But now, on the other hand, if thou desirest that 
I should fight 9 , make all the rest of the Trojans and the Achas- 
ans sit down, and bring together myself and warlike Menelaus 
between the armies, that we may combat for Helen and all her 70 
wealth; and whichever may conquer and be victorious, let him 
by all means 1 take the riches and the dame, and carry them 
home. And do you, the rest of you, striking peace and faithful 
compacts 2 , dwell in fertile Troy ; and let them return to eques- 
trian 3 Argos, and Achats, the land of beautiful women." Thus 75 
he spake, and Hector was greatly delighted at hearing his speech. 
And advancing, therefore, between the armies, he checked the 
ranks of the Trojans, holding his spear by the middle : and they 
all stood quiet. But the long-haired Achgeans were bending 
their bows at him, and taking aim, were hurling their arrows 80 
and stones; and the king of men, Agamemnon, shouted aloud: 

" Stop, ye Argives ; hurl not, Achaean youth ; for brave Hec- 
tor looks as if he wished to parley 4 ." 

Thus he spake, and they abstained from the fight, and imme- 
diately were silent : and Hector addressed both the armies : 85 

5 Been stoned to death. 

6 i. e. thy heart is one of iron. 

" Who by art cleaves naval timber — or shapes what is already cut down for 
ship-building. 8 exuv. 9 Fight and contend. 

1 Let him taking well all the riches — SU — well and good, as we say. 

2 Striking an alliance, and faithful victims — opx»a, S cil. U^sia — {. e . victims which 
were struck, or sacrificed on such occasions, to secure the sanction, or at least the 
evidence of the gods. The words here plainly express the covenants thus sanc- 
tioned by oaths. 

5 Fit for feeding horses. 4 Is preparing, or proposing to speak a word. 



18 ILIAD IIL— V. 86—121. 

"Hear from me, Trojans, and well-armed Achosans, the pro- 
posal of Alexander, on account of whom the war first began. 
He proposes, that all the other Trojans and Achaeans lay down 
90 their bright arms upon the fruitful earth, and that himself and 
warlike Menelaus, between the armies, should fight in single 
combat for Helen and all her wealth. And whichever conquers 
and is victorious, let him by all means take the riches and the 
dame, and carry them home j and let the rest of us strike an al- 
liance and faithful compacts." 
95 Thus he spake, and all kept silence 5 ; but the gallant Mene- 
laus thus addressed them : 

" Now hear me also. Very painful is it to my feelings 6 . — but 
I trust that all will now be settled between the Achaeans and 

100 Trojans — that you have suffered many evils on account of my 
quarrel, and of Alexander the source of it. But for whichever 
of us death and fate be prepared, let him die ; and the rest of 
you settle your quarrel forthwith 7 . And now «hall you, Tro- 
jans, bring two lambs, one a white male, and the other a black 

1 05 female, for the Earth and the Sun, and we will bring a male 
for Jove ; and you shall conduct hither mighty Priam 8 , that he 
may himself strike the compact 9 , (for his sons are reckless 1 and 
faithless,) that none by transgression may violate the compact of 
Jove. For the minds of young men are ever fickle ; but where 

J 10 an old man is present, he looks at once to the past and the future, 
that the matter may be best for both parties 2 ." 

Thus he spake ; and the Achjeans and Trojans rejoiced, hop- 
ing they should cease from toilsome war. And they accordingly 
drew back their cars to the ranks, and themselves alighted, and 
threw off their armour, and laid it near each other on the 

115 ground; and there was a small space between them. 

And Hector sent two heralds to the city with all haste to 
bring the lambs, and to summon Priam ; and king Agamemnon 
dispatched Talthybius to the hollow ships 3 , and ordered him to 

120 fetch a lamb; and he did not disobey the noble Agamemnon. 

In the mean time came Iris, a messenger to the white-armed 

5 And all were mutely in silence. 

6 Very greatly comes pain to my feelings. 

7 Separate — i. e. make peace and go home. 

s j3ir\v IIp;af/ou — the force of Priam — i. e. Priam himself. 
s Strike the victims, or take the oaths. 

1 Violators of oaths sworn over a libation. 

2 For, on what affairs an old man is present^ lie looks before and behind, tha^ 
they (the affairs) may be best for both parties — i. e. it is best for both when an 
old man presides. 3 To go to the hollow ships- 



ILIAD III.— V. 122— 15S. 49 

Helen, in the likeness 4 of her sister-in-law, the wife of Alie- 
nor's son, Laodice, fairest 5 of the daughters of Priam, whom 
king r ' Helicaon, son of Antenor, possessed. And her she found 
in the palace ; and she was weaving a large web, a double 7 and I2£ 
splendid one, and was working 8 upon it the many toils of 
the Trojan chiefs and brazen-mailed Achseans, which lor her 
sake they had suffered at the hands of Mars. And standing 
near her, the swift- footed Iris said : 

"Come hither, dear girl, that thou mayst behold the strange 13** 
deeds of the Trojan chiefs and brazen-mailed Achasans — they 
who just now were bearing fearful war against each other on 
the plain, eager for destructive battle, now sit in silence, (for 
the war has ceased,) leaning upon their shields, and their long 135 
spears are stuck in the ground beside them. And Alexander 
and the warlike Menelaus are going to fight for thee with long 
spears, and thou art to be called the dear spouse of the con- 
queror 9 ." 

Thus having spoken, the goddess infused into her soul a soft 
desire for her former husband, her city, and her parents; and 1^ 
immediately wrapping herself in a white veil, she hastened 
from the chamber, shedding the tender tear ; not alone, for with 
her went two attendants, JEthre, the daughter of Pitiheus, and 
large-eyed 1 Clyroene. And soon they came where were the 
Scaean gates. And the elders of the people 2 , Priam, and Pan- 1^5 
thoiis, and Thymoetes, and Dampus, and Clytius, and Hicetaon, 
a branch of Mars, and Ucalegon and Antenor, both prudent men, 
were sitting ajt the Scsean gate — now on account of their age 
abstaining from war 3 . But they were still good talkers 4 , like *5t* 
grass-hoppers, which sitting upon a tree in a forest, send forth 
a sweet sound. Such were the chiefs of the Trojans who sat on 
the tower 5 . And when they beheld Helen approaching the 
tower, they quickly addressed winged words one to another: '^ 

" No wonder 6 that the Trojans and well-armed Achaeans, for 
a long period, endure toils for such a woman. She resembles 
very much in countenance the immortal goddesses. But even 

4 Making herself like to. s B es t in appearance. 

« xpsiujv — as if it was an honorary title — not implying sovereign authority. 
? OnrXaxu — as if, perhaps, large enough to fold twice round the person. 

8 Interspersing — working in with a needle, probably. 

9 To the man who conquers. i /3oo>:ff£. 

2 A^xoySpovTC.; in 149. s Or having done with war. 

4 Sc. employed in consulting on public affairs. 
6 i. e. over the Scaean gates. 

* Or rather, ground for censure— meaning, one cannot blame them. 

5 



50 ILIAD III.— V. 160-189. 

160 thus, such though she be, let her return in the ships, and not be 
left a trouble to us and our sons 7 ." 

Thus then they spake ; and Priam called to Helen 8 : " Come 
hither, my dear child, and sit by me, that thou mayst behold thy 
former husband, and relations, and friends ; for thou art not in 

165 fault — it is the gods who are to blame, who have sent upon me 
the lamentable war of the Achseans. So tell me the name of 
that line looking man, — who is that handsome and noble Athasan? 
There are, to be sure, others taller by the head ; but never with 

170 these eyes have I seen so handsome and so majestic a man; he 
looks like a king." 

And him Helen, loveliest of women, answered : " Thou art to 
me, my dear father-in-law, an object of respect and reverence. 9 
Would that dire death had been my choice 1 , when I accompanied 

175 thy son hither, leaving my bridal chamber, and my relations, and 
my only child 2 , and the sweet society of my friends 3 . But those 
things were not, and therefore I weep and pine 4 . But that 
which thou askest and requirest of me I will tell. That is the 
son of Atreus. the wide-ruling Agamemnon, a good king, and a 
gallant warrior, both. He was besides my brother-in-law, — 

180 shameless woman, that T am — if indeed he ever was 5 ." 

Thus she spake ; and the old man admired him, and said : 
lc O blessed son of Atreus, of happy birth, and noble destiny; 
numerous indeed are the Achaean youth under thy command. 
I once went to wine-bearing Phrygia, where I beheld numerous 

*85 Phrygians, car-warriors, the armies of Otreus, and godlike 
Mygdon, which were then encamped upon the i>anks of the 
Sangarius ; and I was with them, one of their allies 6 , on that 
day, when the masculine 7 Amazons came against them. But 
even they were not so numerous as the noble Achaaans 8 ." 

7 And our children after us. 8 Called Helen with his voice. 

9 Thou art to be respected. 

1 Or, that ought to have been my choice — sc. rather than have done what I did, 
when, &c. 

2 Hermione — loved, or only, — i. e. judging by the application of the word, for 
its derivation is scarcely discoverable. 3 Those of my own age. 

4 But these things were not done, — i. e. such was not my conduct, and therefore 
I am consumed weeping. 

5 Si -jror Bt]v ye — as if now she modestly doubted whether that could ever have 
been a fact. 6 Drawn up, or arrayed with them. 

? avriav£»|ai — equal to men, in vigour or courage — capable of sustaining men 
in battle. 

s £ vjxwfffg. The word is applied by Homer only to the Achteans and the 
daughter of Chryecs. Pindar couples it with Venus. u<\> is probably the source 



ILIAD III— V. 190—225. 51 

Next, observing Ulysses, the old man asked : " And that one, 
too, my dear child ; come, tell me who is he ? He is less, by the 
head, than Agamemnon, son of Atreus; but is broader in the 
chest and shoulders 9 . His weapons lie on the bountiful earth ; 193 
but he himself, like a ram, ranges among the ranks of men. I 
compare him to a full-fleeced ram, which roams through a large 
flock of white sheep." 

Then Helen, sprung from Jove, replied : " That, again, is the 
wise Ulysses, the son of Laertes, who was brought up in a dis- 
trict of Ithaca, a rocky isle, — a man ready at every stratagem, 200 
and every wise expedient." 

And to her the prudent Antenor replied : " Lady, certainly 
that is a true word you have said 1 ; for here, also, once the noble 
Ulysses came on an embassy, on thy account, along with the 205 
brave Menelaus. And them I received and entertained in my 
house, and marked the persons of both and their wise counsels. 
And when they were* mixed up with the assembled Trojans, 
MenelauS; as they stood 2 , rose above him by the broad shoulders ; 210 
but when both were sitting, Ulysses was more majestic. When 
they addressed the people and explained their views 3 , Menelaus 
indeed spoke concisely 4 — a few words, but very agreeably, since 
he was neither loquacious nor rambling 5 , although the younger 215 
man. But when the wise Ulysses rose, he at first stood still, 
and looked down, fixing his eyes upon the ground; and his 
sceptre he waved neither backwards nor forwards, but, like a 
stupid man, kept it motionless — you might have said he was 220 
thus at once sullen, and a fool. But when at last the mighty 
voice burst from his breast, and words, which resembled the 
snow-showers of winter 6 , no other mortal would have then con- 
tended with Ulysses Then indeed were we not so charmed at 
the form of Ulysses 7 ." 

Seeing Ajax, the old man, a third time, asked: "And who is 225 

of it, and handsome or noble the sense. A Scholiast suggests the word may be 
derived from xwTrrj, and so sXixwr£g might mean naval — the Achaeans who came 
by sea. 

But is broader to be seen. 

1 i. e. you are quite right. 2 They standing. 

3 But when they wove words and plans to all. 

4 Or, rapidly — cursorily — not dwelling upon points. 

5 Not one who docs not hit the mark, or not stick to his subject Menelaus in 
his speeches was short, but to the purpose. 

6 But when he poured the mighty voice from his breast, and words like wintry 
snow-showers. 

7 i. e. not so much as at his eloquence, — we no longer thought of his appearance* 
noble as that was. 



52 ILIAD III— Y. 226—264. 

that other Achsean warrior, large and tall, who overtops the Ar- 
rives, by the head and broad shoulders ?" 

And long-robed Helen, loveliest of women, replied : "That 
is the mighty Ajax, the bulwark of the Achaaans ; and Idome- 

2W neus stands on the other side among the Cretans, like a god : 
and round him are gathered the leaders of the Cretans. Often 
has the warlike Menelaus hospil ably received him in our house, 
when he came from Crete. And now do I behold all the other 

$$5 noble 3 Achaeans, whom I could readily recognise, and tell their 
names; but two leaders of the people I cannot see, Castor, the 
driver of horses, and Pollux, the skilful boxer, — my own twin 
brothers, whom, with myself, the same mother bore. Did they 

840 not come from lovely Lacedsemon ? Or hither came in sea- 
crossing barks, but now no longer will enter the battle of men. 
ashamed of the many scandals and reproaches which attach to 
me 9 ." 

Thus she spake ; but them their mother 1 earth already en- 
_ closed there in Lacedasmon, in their loved native land. 

^45 Aftd now the heralds were bringing through the city the 
sanctions of the compact 2 , two lambs, with gladdening wine, 
produce of the soil, in a goat's skin ; and Idasus, the herald, bore 
a splendid goblet and golden cups ; and standing near the old 
man, he thus excited him with his words : 

2o0 « Rise, son of Laomedon, the chiefs of the noble Trojan and 
brazen-mailed Achaeans summon thee to descend into the plain, 
that thou mayst strike a solemn compact 3 . For Alexander and 
brave Menelaus are going to fight with long spears for the dame ; 

^* 7 and the dame and her riches will be the reward of the con- 
querer 4 . But the rest of us, under the sanction of a peace 5 , 
shall cultivate fruitful Troy ; and they will return to fertile 
Argos, and Achaais, land of beautiful women." 

Thus he spake ; and the old man shuddered, but he ordered 

2"0 j 3 i s people to put the horses to the car 6 , and they obeyed with 

alacrity. And then Priam mounted, and took 7 the reins, and 

Antenor ascended the beautiful car beside him ; and they drove 

the swift horses through the Scasan gates towards the plain. 

And when now they reached the Trojans and Achaeans, alight- 

s e\mUvSg. A. 98 I\ 190. 9 Which are to me. 

1 cpvGi^oos — that generates the necessaries of life. 

2 bgxia tf»tf<ra — scil. the lambs, wine, &c. 

3 . o£x»a tfjflVa — the compact ; as three lines below, the phrase stands for the 
final peace. 4 Will follow him who conquers, 

s- Friendship and sure victims, i. e. victims of faith having struck. 
* To yoke his horses. 7 Drew back, i. e. behind the horses. 



ILIAD III.— V. 265— 29S. 53 

ing from the car 8 on the fruitful earth, they walked into the 265 
open space between the Trojans and Achaeans. And then forth- 
with Agamemnon, king of men, rose up. and the wise Ulysses : 
and the worthy heralds brought the victims 9 and mingled 1 wine 
in a goblet, and poured water upon the hands of the kings. 271) 
And Atrides, drawing out with his hands the knife, which always 
hung beside the great scabbard of his sword, cut off the wool 
from the heads of the lambs ; and then the heralds distributed 
it among the chiefs of the Trojans and Achasans. And Atrides 275 
prayed among 2 them with a loud voice, lifting up his hands : 

'•'Father Jove, who rulest from Ida, most glorious, most 
mighty ; and thou Sun, who seest all things and hearest all 
things; and ye Rivers, and thou Earth, and ye who below 3 pun- 
ish dead men, who break their oaths 4 , be ye witnesses, and guar- 280 
dians of 5 this compact. If Alexander shall slay Menelaus, then 
let him keep Helen and all her wealth, and we return in our 
sea-crossing ships ; but if the yellow-haired Menelaus shall kill 
Alexander, then let the Trojans restore Helen and all her wealth 285 
and pay to the Argives a tine such as is just — one which shall 
be memorable, even among future generations 6 . But if — should 
Alexander fall 7 — Priam and the sons of Priam will not pay the 
tine, then will I fight again for that fine, remaining here, till I 290 
finish the war 8 ." 

He said, and with his pitiless knife cut the throats of the 
lambs, and he laid them, palpitating, upon the ground, deprived 
of life ; for the knife had taken away their strength. Then 
taking wine from the flagon into their goblets, they libated, 295 
and prayed to the immortal gods ; and thus each of the Achse- 
ans and Trojans said : 

" Jove, most glorious, most mighty, and ye other immortal 



8 ITtfOUS. 

9 opxia ir ilrcr. may here mean, not only the victims, but the apparatus for the 
sacrifice generally. 

1 Not diluted with water — the wine brought by the Trojans was mixed with. 
some produced by the Achaeans. 

2 Perhaps -with them. 

a TivuCdov — a dual ; and therefore Pluto and Proserpine must be meant. 
4 May have sworn a perjury. 5 And guard. 

6 Among men which are to be. The TifAT] is an indemnity for the charges of the 
war, sufficient to protect future generations from like aggressions — or possibly, an 
annual tribute for ever may be meant, 

7 Alexander having fallen. 

8 Till I find an end for the war. 



54 ILIAD III— V. 300—332. 

300 gods ! whoever first shall violate 9 this compact, thus may the 
brains both of them and of their children flow, as this wine, upon 
the ground ; and may their wives be united with others 1 ." 

Thus they spake, but the son of Saturn did not at all accom- 
plish their desire. And Priam, son of Dardanus, thus addressed 
them 2 : 

305 '• Hear me, ye Trojans and well-armed Achasans. I must now 
go back to windy Ilium, since I could by no means bear to see 
my loved son combating with brave Menelaus. Jove well knows 
this, and the rest of the immortal gods, to which of the two 
death is decreed 3 ." 

510 The godlike man thus spake, and placed the lambs 4 in the car. 
And then he mounted himself, and took the reins; and Antenor 
ascended the beautiful car beside him, and back then they re- 
turned to Troy. 

And Hector, son of Priam, and the noble Ulysses, measured 

S15 first the ground ; and then taking lots, they shook them in a 
brazen helmet, to determine which should first throw his brazen 
spear. Meanwhile the people prayed, and lifted up their hands 
to the gods, and thus each of the Achseans and Trojans said : 

320 « o father Jove, who rulest from Ida, most glorious, most 
mighty, whichever was the author of this war 5 , grant that he 
may descend, slain, to the mansion of Hades ; and that friend- 
ship and peace may again exist among us." 

Thus they spake ; and the great and active 6 Hector shook 

•^ 5 the helmet, looking backwards ; and immediately the lot of Paris 
leaped out. Then the troops 7 sat down in their ranks, where 
each man's fleet horses and beautiful 8 armour were 9 . And the 
noble Alexander, the husband of fair-haired Helen, put his 

*™ bright armour on his shoulders. First he put round his legs 
handsome greaves fastened with silver clasps ; next he braced 
upon his breast the corslet of his brother Lycaon, for it fitted 

9 Do wrong contrary to the compact. 

1 i. e. as captives, be at the disposal of others. 

2 Spoke to them a w«rrd. 

3 But Jove and the other immortal gods know this, to which the end of death is 
fated — implying he did not. 

4 In cases of this kind, the victims were not eaten, but buried in the ground, or 
thrown into the sea. 

5 Whoever placed these deeds among both. 

6 xo£udaioXo£. See B. 816. 7 They. 

s wowiXa — expressive of the ornaments or workmanship of the armour. 
9 Where lay to each his, &c. 



ILIAD III.— V. 334—365. 55 

him; and then round his shoulders 1 he hung his brazen sword, 
with a silver hilt, and then his shield, large and massive; and 335 
upon his gallant head he placed a well-formed helmet, crested 
with horse-hair, and the crest nodded awfully from above ; and 
he selected a strong spear, which fitted his hand. And so in 
the same manner the warrior Menolaus also braced on his ar- 
mour. 

And when therefore they were armed on both sides 2 , they 340 
advanced to the mid-space 3 between the Trojans and Achseans, 
looking fiercely; and amazement seized the gazing Trojan 
chiefs and well-armed Achseans. And now they stood near 
each other, within the measured ground, shaking their spears, 
and mutually enraged. 4 And first Alexander hurled his long 345 
spear, and struck the round 5 shield of the son of Atreus. But 
it pierced not the brass, for its point was bent in the strong 
shield. And, in his turn, Menelaus, son of Atreus, advanced 
with his spear, 6 praying first to father Jove : 350 

"Jove, O king, grant that I may take my revenge on the di- 
vine Alexander for the wrong which he has done me unpro- 
voked 7 : and subdue him by my hands, that even among poster- 
ity each may shrink from wronging an host who has shown him 
hospitalityV ? 

He spake, and brandishing his long spear, he hurled it, and 355 
struck the round shield of the son of Priam. Through the 
glittering shield pierced the impetuous spear, and forced its 
way through the corselet of curious workmanship : and cut 
right through the tunic, at his flank ; but he swerved aside, and 
escaped black death. Then the son of Atreus, drawing his sil- 360 
ver-hilted sword, and raising it, smote the cone of his helmet; 
but it fell from his hand, broken into three or four pieces upon 
it. And the son of Atreus, looking up to the wide heaven, 
groaned: 

* c Jove, father, no other of the gods is more malicious than 365 

1 Suspended from a belt which went round the shoulder — i. e. the left shoulder. 
The shield, in like manner, was suspended by another — a cross belt — which went 
round the right shoulder. 2 In each army. 

3 To the middle of. 4 Enraged or inflamed against one another. 

5 On all sides equal — i. e. round, or smooth, according as the word be supposed 
to refer to the shape or surface of the shield. 

6 w£vuro p^aXxw — rose with his brass; equivalent to the altior insurgens of 
Virgil XII. 902. 

7 Who first did evil deeds to me. 

8 Each of men born hereafter may shudder to do evil to the host, who has 
shown him friendship. 



56 ILIAD III— V. 366—402. 

thou. I quite expected to have had my revenge on Alexander 
for his wrongs ; and now my sword is broken in my hand, and 
my spear was thrown 9 without effect, nor have I struck him." 

He said, and springing upon him, seized him by the helmet 
crested with horse-hair, and turning round, dragged him towards 

•J70 the well-armed Achseans. And the embroidered band at his 
tender throat was choking him — the strap of the helmet which 
went 1 under his chin. And now would Menelaus have dragged 
him off, and obtained immense glory, had not Venus, daughter 
of Jove, quickly perceived it, and snapt the leathern 2 band ; 

375 and the empty helmet followed his powerful hand. Then the 
hero whirling it round, tossed it among the well-armed Achseans, 
and his dear comrades picked it up. And back he rushed with 

•*$80 a brazen spear, eager to kill his enemy; but Yenus, with the 
greatest ease, as a goddess, carried him off; and then covered 
him with a thick cloud, and placed him in his fragrant-scented 
chamber. 

Then she went herself to call Helen, and her she found upon 

3S5 a lofty tower, with many 3 Trojan ladies round her ; and taking 
hold of her beautiful robe with her hand, she pulled it : but she 
spoke to her in the likeness of an old woman, an aged dresser of 
wool, who beautifully dressed the white fleeces for her while 
she dwelt at Lacedaemon, and greatly loved her. Taking her 
form, the goddess Venus addressed her : 

>»90 " Come hither ; Alexander invites thee to return home ; for 
he is in the bridal 4 chamber, radiant in beauty and dress. You 
would not say that he had returned home — after combating 5 , but 
rather that he was going to a dance, or was sitting down, having 
just left off dancing." 

395 Thus she spake, and stirred her passions in her breast. As 
soon, however, as Helen perceived the beautiful neck of the 
goddess, her lovely bosom, and sparkling eyes, she was filled 
with amazement, and addressed her, and said 6 : 

" Goddess, why desirest thou to deceive me thus 7 ? Some- 

400 where farther among the populous cities 8 of Phrygia, or pleasant 
Maeonia, art thou going to take me — if there be there too any 
favourite of thine 9 ? Is it because Menelaus, having now con- 

9 Was cast from my hands. i "Was stretched. 

2 Thong made of an ox killed by violence. 3 Ladies in great number. 

4 Chamber and bed — bed turned — shaped by turner's instruments. 

6 That he came, having fought with a man. 

6 And spake a word, &c. i, e. addressed her, and said in particular. 

' raura. s The genitive depends on tf*). 

a If there also be some one of articulate-speaking men dear to thee. 



ILIAD ffl.— V. 403—438. 57 

quered the noble Alexander, is willing to take me, hateful as 1 
am, home again ? — is it for this thou now comest here to entrap 
me 1 ? Go thyself and sit beside him, and renounce the ways of 40$ 
gods 2 . No longer bend thy steps towards Olympus 3 , but ever 
whimper round him and tend him, until he make thee his wife 
or his slave. I, at least, will not go there — it would now be 
disgraceful — to share his bed ; all the Trojan women would 41X) 
hereafter cry shame upon me; and I have already sorrows 
enough upon my mind." 

But the Goddess Venus, indignant, replied: "Provoke me 
not, perverse one, lest enraged I desert thee, and hate thee as 
much as now I have greatly loved thee ; and lest I stir up deadly AW 
enmities in both Trojans and Achaaans, against thee, and thou 
die a miserable death." 

Thus she spake ; and Helen, sprung from Jove, was frightened, 
and, enveloped in her white splendid veil, she went in silence, 
and was unobserved by all the Trojan women 4 , and the goddess 420 
led the way. 

And when they arrived at the beautiful abode of Alexander, 
her attendants 5 turned hastily to their works 6 ; and the loveliest 
of women ascended to the* lofty bridal chamber. Then the 
smiling Venus, taking a seat for her, placed it opposite Alexan- 
der, the goddess herself carrying it ; and there Helen, daughter 425 
of the aegis-bearing Jove, sat averting her eyes, and thus up- 
braided her husband. 

" Thou art come then from battle ! Would that thou hadst 
there perished, slain by the brave man who was my former hus- 
band. Thou didst boast of old that thou wert superior to brave 430 
Menelaus in strength, in dexterity 7 , and in the use of the spear 
— go, then, and challenge again brave Menelaus to fight thee. 
But I advise thee to desist, and not unwisely enter the lists 8 
with the yellow-haired Menelaus, and tight him, lest thou be 
quickly subdued by his spear." 43£ 

But Paris, in reply, said: "Lady, vex not my soul with bitter 
reproaches. For Menelaus has conquered now, by the aid of 
Minerva : and I, in my turn, shall vanquish him, for I also have 

1 Art thou now present laying snares for me ? 

2 i. e. all intercourse with the gods — not the condition of divinity. 

3 No more return to Olympus with thy feet. 

4 She eluded the observation of all the Trojan women. 

5 Helen's two attendants. 
* To their wonted duties. 

7 In hands. 

8 And not to fight an opposing battle with Menelaus, 



58 ILIAD III.— -V. 440—460. 

440 gods on my side 9 . But come, let us turn to the dreams of love 1 ; 
for never did desire so seize my soul— no, not when iirst snatch- 
ing thee from lovely Lacedsemon, I sailed in my sea-crossing 
ships, and enjoyed thy person in the isle of Cranae, as now I 

445 love thee, and the fond desire possesses me." 

He said, and moved towards 2 the bed, and his wife followed 
him ; and they slept in the beautiful 3 couch. 

Meanwhile the son of Atreus roamed through the army like 
a wild beast, in pursuit of the godlike Alexander. 4 But none 

450 of the Trojans or of their noble allies was able then to point out 
Alexander to the warlike Menelaus ; for they would not have 
concealed him through friendship; had any seen him, since he 
was hated by all of them as much as black death. And the king 

455 of men, Agamemnon, addressed them : 

" Hear me, ye Trojans, and Dardans, and allies. The victory 
of brave Menelaus is manifest ; therefore restore ye Argive 
Helen, and her riches along with her, and pay such a fine as is 
just — one which shall be memorable even among future genera- 

460 tions 5 ." Thus spake Atrides, and the other Achieans approved, 

9 For to us also there are gods by us. 

1 But come, let us, lying down, turn to love. 

2 And began going — led the way. 

3 Pierced, or perforated— described 0»vw<roirfj ^e^EStftfi in 391 of this book. 
State-beds — bedsteads, perhaps, as distinguished from mattresses on the floor. 

4 If he could any where perceive. 5 See lines 286, 7. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER. 



BOOK IV. 



ARGUMENT. 

In a council of the gods, a dispute arises between Jupiter and Juno, which is at 
last compromised, Jove consenting to dispatch Minerva with a charge to incite 
some Trojan to a violation of the truce. Minerva descends for this purpose, 
and in the form of Laodocus, a son of Priam, exhorts Pandarus to shoot at 
Menelaus, and succeeds. Menelaus is wounded, and Agamemnon, having 
consigned him to the care of Machaon, goes forth to perform the duties of com- 
mander in chief, in the encouragement of his host to battle. The battle begins. 

Meanwhile the Gods, sitting by the side of Jove, were chatting 1 
in the golden hall 2 ; and, among them, the charming Hebe was 
pouring out nectar ; and in succession they each took the golden 
cups, as they gazed upon the city of the Trojans. Then the 5 
son of Saturn endeavoured to irritate Juno, with sarcastic words, 
addressing her obliquely : 

" Two of the Goddesses are patrons of Menelaus, Argive Juno, 
and the protecting Minerva, and truly they are, sitting apart 3 , 
amusing themselves with looking on ; whilst with Paris, on the 
contrary, smiling Venus is ever present, and defending him from 10 
fate 4 , and has even now just rescued him, when expecting to die. 
But certainly the victory belongs to the brave Menelaus ; and 
we must now consult how these matters shall be, whether, that IB 
is, we shall again excite evil war and direful battle, or make 5 

1 Not in consultation — as in B 788, oi ayopotg a^opSuov does not express a 
formal meeting on business. 

2 Pavement — i. e. hall paved with gold. 

3 i. e. as if without any regard for him — making no attempt to aid him. 

* And puts away from him the fates. 6 Throw or put. 



60 ILIAD IV.— V. 17—52. 

peace between both parties. And if this be thus agreeable and 
pleasant to all, then truly may the city of king Priam be still 
inhabited 6 , and Menelaus take Argive Helen home again." 

20 Thus he spake ; and Minerva and Juno, who were sitting 
together, and plotting evils against the Trojans, growled. 
Minerva indeed was silent, and spake not, though irritated with 
father Jove, and though wild rage seized her; but Juno could 
not restrain her indignation within her breast, but said : 

25 " Most imperious son of Saturn, what words are these thou 
speakest ? Why wouldst thou make my labour vain, and that 
sweat unfruitful, which I in toil have sweated? Even my 
horses were fatigued, whilst I assembled the army, to bring evils 
• upon Priam and his sons. Do as thou wilt 7 , but none of the 
rest of us shall approve." 

30 Then the cloud-collecting Jove, in great anger replied : 
" Goddess, what wrongs so great have Priam, and the sons of 
Priam done thee, that thou shouldst, so ardently, desire to lay 
waste the well-built town of Ilium ? For if thou couldst enter 

35 the gates and lofty walls, and eat up Priam raw, and the sons of 
Priam, and the rest of the Trojans, then mightst thou sate thine 
anger. Do, however, as thou wilt — let not at least this dispute, 
for the future, be matter of great contention between thee and 

40 me 8 . But I will tell thee something else, and do thou cast it in 
thy heart. If ever I have a great 9 desire to destroy a city, 
where there are men, dear to thee, thwart not thou my fury, 
but give way to me ; for though I have given up this city to 
thee, of my own accord, I do it with unwilling mind. For of 

45 the cities of terrestrial men, which are inhabited beneath the 
sun and starry heavens, beyond all others sacred Ilium 1 was 
honoured in my heart, and Priam, and the people of Priam, 
famed for his ashen spear 2 . For never was my altar without 
abundant offerings, both of wine and fat 3 — the honour allotted 
us 4 by fate." 

50 And large-eyed imperial Juno then answered : " Well, there 
are three cities very dear to me, Argos, and Sparta, and wide- 
streeted Mycenas ; them destroy when they are hateful to thy 

6 i. e. not be captured, but preserved. 

7 Do — 07TW5 s&sXsis must be understood — the words occur in line 37 below. 

8 To thee and me, between both of us. 
» jxspiawg sdsXw — earnestly wish. 

1 »p?) — as usual — for anything great or illustrious. 

2 With a good ashen spear. 

3 xvitftfr) — fat — or the odour of it — roasted or burnt. 

4 i. e. the gods — for that is the honour which ice have obtained by allotment. 



ILIAD IV— V. 54— 85. 61 

soul 5 . I will neither defend them 6 , nor trouble myself about 
them 7 . For indeed if I should interpose and not allow 8 you to 55 
destroy them. I should effect nothing by interposing ; since thou 
art by much the more powerful. But it becomes thee not to 
render my labour fruitless : for I likewise am a divinity, and of 
the same origin 9 with thyself, and I am wily Saturn's daughter, 
and entitled to respect 1 , on two accounts — by birth, and because GO 
I am 2 called thy wife, and thou art king over all immortals. 
We will, therefore, give way to each other in these matters, I 
to thee, and thou to me ; and the other immortal Gods will 
follow ; and do thou quickly enjoin Minerva to repair to the 
dire battle-field of the Trojans and Achasans, and endeavour to 65 
make the Trojans be the first, contrary to the compact, to do 
some injury to the exulting Achasans. 5 ' 

Thus she spake, nor did the father of Gods and men refuse, ?0 
but immediately addressed Minerva with winged words ^ 

"Away, with speed, to the army of the Trojans and Achaaans, 
and endeavour to make the Trojans be the first to commit, con- 
trary to the compact, some injury on the exulting Acha?ans." 

Thus speaking, he dispatched Minerva, ready enough before 
to go, and she descended, hastening, from the summits of Olym- 
pus. For as a star, which wily Saturn's son sends forth, to be 7& 
an omen, either to sailors, or to some wide army of troops, bril- 
liant, and one from which many sparks shoot forth— like that, 
did Minerva rush towards the earth, and leaped into the midst 
of them : and amazement seized the Trojan chiefs and well- SO 
armed Achasans, on beholding her. And thus, one looking at his 
neighbour, said — 

" Either there will be evil war and dire contest again 3 , or Jove, 
who is the arbiter of war among men, will make peace between 
both nations." Thus said Achasans and Trojans to one another' 3 . Si 

~° Whenever they are hateful above others in thy heart. 
6 I neither stand before them. 

i ixsyairu and (p^ovsw seem in the older usage of the Greeks to have meant — 
forbidding, or interposing to prevent. 
8 1. e. try to prevent. 
9 And whence the birth is to me, thence it is to thee. 

• voBafivrarr^ — employed generally for eldest-born, but, in the present casa, 
obviously as here rendered. 2 Or styled. 

3 The first "A may be affirmative, and [J-aXXov be understood with the second — 
which will afford a more consistent sense — Surely there will rather be war again 
than peace. 

* i. e. one Achaean said to another Acluean — and one Trojan to another Trojan 
-indefinitely and generally. 



62 ILIAD IV.— V. 86—119. 

But she (Minerva) entered into the army of the Trojans in like- 
ness of a man 5 , of Laodocus, son of An tenor, a gallant warrior, 
seeking for the godlike Pandarus, if she could any where find 
90 him. And she found the brave and noble Pandarus standing, 
and round him powerful ranks of shielded men, who accom- 
panied him from the streams of uEsepis. And standing near 
him, she spake these winged words : 

" Wilt thou be persuaded by me, warlike son of Lycaon ? 
Wilt thou venture to shoot a fleet arrow at Menelaus ? Thou 
95 wouldst gain thanks and glory with all the Trojans, and above 
all, with king Alexander. From him thou wouldst surely, in 
particular, receive some splendid gifts, should he see warlike 
Menelaus, son of Atreus, subdued by thy weapon, placed upon 

100 the sad funeral pile. Come then, shoot an arrow at Menelaus, 
elevated with glory, and vow to Apollo 6 , famed for his bow, to 
sacrifice a noble hecatomb of first-born lambs, upon thy return 7 
home to the city of sacred Zeleia." 

Thus spake Minerva, and persuaded the mind of the fool 8 . 

105 Immediately he drew forth 9 his smooth bow. made from a wanton 
wild goat, one which, as it came out of a cave, he himself, watch- 
ing for it in ambuscade, hitting it on the chest, struck to the 
heart; and it fell prone into the cave. Its horns grew from its 

110 head of the length of sixteen palms; and the artist, the polisher 
of horns, had with labour 1 prepared 2 them; and after smoolhing 
every part beautifully, put upon them golden tips. And when 
he (Pandarus) had bent it 3 well, he put one end on the ground, 
stooping ; and his gallant comrades held their shield before him, 

1 15 lest the brave sons of the Acha?ans should rise 4 , before Menelaus, 
the brave leaner of the Achseans. was struck. Then he took oft 
the cover of his quiver, and from it selected an arrow new 5 
and feathered, the source of dark pains. And immediately he 
fitted the dire arrow to the string, and vowed to offer to Apollo, 

5 Like to a man. 

6 A\)xr\yS\y\z,. The Lycian, according to the usual interpretation, which, how- 
ever, would require Auxi7]^£vt)£. The son of light, or of the morn, suits alike the 
etymology of tfie word, and the attributes of Apollo. 

7 Having returned. 8 And persuaded the mind to him foolish. 
9 i. e. from its case. ' Labouring. 

2 i. e. by fastening together the roots of the two horns, which formed the centre 
of the bow. 

3 i. e. when he had strung the bow, he laid it down, whilst he selected an arrow 
from his quiver — stooping to escape observation. 

4 For they were sitting down. 

6 Unshot — never shot before ; and, of course, with its point unblunted. 



ILIAD IV.— V. 120—157 63 

famed for his bow, a noble hecatomb of first-born lambs, upon 120 
his return home to the city of sacred Zeleia. Then seizing the 
notch of the arrow, and the bow-string 6 together, he drew them ; 
the string he brought close to his bieast, and the point 7 of the 
arrow to the bow. And when he had bent the large bow into 
a circle, the bow twanged, and the string sounded loud, and the 
sharp-pointed arrow sprang forth, eager to rush among the 125 
crowd. 

Nor were the blessed immortal Gods forgetful of thee, Mene- 
laus, and first, the despoiler 8 , the daughter of Jove, who standing 
before thee, averted the deadly arrow. And she repelled it from 130 
his body as much as when a mother drives away a fly from her 
child, while he reclines in sweet sleep ; and then she directed it 
where the golden clasps of his belt met 9 , and the double corselet 
interposed ; and the dire arrow struck upon the tightened belt ; 135 
through the belt of curious workmanship it drove, and pierced 
the beautiful corselet, and the girdle 1 which he wore, the pro- 
tection of his person, a defence against darts, and which very 
much protected him — even through it did it make its way; and 
then the arrow grazed the skin of the man on the surface 2 , and 14.0 
immediately the dark blood flowed from the wound. 

And as when some Masonian or Carian maid stains apiece of 
ivory with purple for the cheek-piece 3 of horses, and it lies 
in her chamber, and many horsemen are desirous to have it, 
but the favour lies for a king, — for two purposes — an ornament 145 
for his horse, and a glory to the driver ; so, Menelaus, were thy 
good thighs and legs, and fair ancles beneath, stained with blood. 

Then the king of men, Agamemnon, shuddered when he saw 
the black blood flowing from the wound ; and the brave Mene- 
laus himself also shuddered. But when he perceived the string 4 , 150 
and the barbs of the arrow outside 5 , his courage was again col- 
lected within his breast. And king Agamemnon, groaning 
deeply among them, addressed him, holding Menelaus by the 
hand ; and their comrades also groaned : 

" My beloved brother, for thy death this compact have I 155 
struck, by opposing thee thus alone to fight for the Achaeans 
against the Trojans: so have the Trojans wounded thee, -and 

e Ox-sinews. ' Iron. 

s AysXeir] — i. e . apparently, Xvuns, as she is expressly styled in K. 460. 

9 Fastened the belt. ! i. e. the inner girdle — next his person. 

a axPoTP.cov X£ m — on tnc vcr y outside — a scratch comparatively. 

3 A blinker 1 

4 That with which the iron point was fastened to the shaft. 

5 i. c. had not penetrated. 



64 ILIAD IV.— V. 158—191. 

trampled on the sacred compact. Not in vain, however, can be 
the oath of compact, and the blood of lambs, and the unmixed 

160 libations, and the right hands in which we trusted; for although 
the Olympian has not at once enforced them, he will at last 
enforce ; and they will dearly 6 pay for it with their own heads, 
their wives, and their children. For this I know well in my 
soul 7 , that the day will come when sacred Ilium shall perish, and 

165 Priam, and the people of Priam, skilled in the ashen spear ; and 
Jove, the son of Saturn, the rider on high, who dwells in the 
air, will himself shake over all of them his stormy iEgis, indig- 
nant at this treachery : and these things will not be unaccom- 

170 plished. But deep grief will be upon me on thy account, O 
Menelaus, if thou shouldst die, and complete the destiny of life. 
And I shall return to long-desired Argos, covered with infamy 8 ; 
for the Achaeans will immediately recall to mind their native 
land 9 , and we shall leave Argive Helen, a boast to Priam and the 

IF5 Trojans. And the earth will rot thy bones, as thou liest 1 in 
Troy, after fruitless toil ; and thus will insolent Trojans say, 
trampling on the tomb of glorious Menelaus : ' Even thus may 
Agamemnon wreak his anger upon all, as now he has led hither 
an army of Achaeans to no purpose ; and has at last gone home 

ISO to his own native land with empty 2 ships, leaving brave Mene- 
laus behind him. J So will they speak ; and then may the wide 
earth yawn for me." 

But the yellow-haired Menelaus, cheering him, said : " Cheer 
up 3 , nor by any means alarm the people of the Achaeans. The 

1S5 sharp weapon has not pierced to a mortal place, for the orna- 
• mented belt first resisted it, and beneath that the corselet 4 and 
the girdle 5 which armourers made 6 ." 

And king Agamemnon answering him said : " Oh that it may 

190 be so, dear Menelaus; but a surgeon shall probe the wound, and 
apply medicaments, to allay the black pains 7 ." 

6 With much, i. e. evil. 

7 For this I well know in my mind and soul — as if there were Uco mediums. 
%e head and the heart. 

s Most infamous. . ° i. e. will think of returning home. 

1 The bones of thee lying, &c. 
£ i. e. without the spoils of Troy. 

3 Take courage — do not be alarmed. 

4 ^Wfi-a — i. e. the lower part of the corselet. The ivhole corselet (^ w ^s) is in 
line 133 called (WXoos (double). 

s fjurgi'j — which seems to have been a brass plate — or a kind of quilting, covered 
with brass. 6 Men who work in brass?. 

7 Severe pains. 



ILIAD IV.— V. 193—229. 65 

He said, and addressed Talthybius, the noble herald : " Talthy- 
bius, call hither as quick as possible, Machaon, son of the famous 
surgeon, iEsculapius, that he may see Menelaus, the brave leader 19r> 
of the Achseans, whom one of the Trojans or Lycians, well skilled 
in the bow, by shooting an arrow at him, has wounded — for him 
a glory, but for us a grief." 7 

Thus he spake, and the herald heard and did not disobey : 
and he went 8 to the army of the brazen-mailed Achseans, looking 200 
round for the hero Machaon ; and he marked him standing, and 
round him were gallant ranks of shielded warriors, who accom- 
panied him from Tricca, feeder-of-horses. And standing near, 
he addressed him in winged words : 

" Up son of iEsculapius ; king Agamemnon calls thee, that 
thou mayst look at the warlike Menelaus, son of Atreus, whom 205 
one of the Trojans or Lycians, well skilled in archery, by shoot- 
ing an arrow at him, has wounded — for him a glory, but for us a 
grief." 

Thus he spake, and stirred his heart within his breast : and 210 
they proceeded through the ranks, along the wide army of 
Achaeans. And when now they came where the yellow-haired 
Menelaus had been wounded, and where ail the chiefs were 9 
gathered round him in a circle, he presented himself in the 
midst, a man equal to a god ; and Machaon immediately plucked 
the arrow from the fastened belt : but in plucking it out, the 
sharp barbs bent back. Then he loosed the decorated belt, and 215 
beneath it the corselet 1 and girdle, which armourers made. 
And when he saw the wound where the dire arrow fell, he 
squeezed out the blood, and skilfully sprinkled upon the wound 
soothing medicaments 2 , which Chiron of old kindly 3 gave to his 
father. 

Whilst these were occupied around the brave Menelaus, the 220 

ks of the shielded Trojans advanced ; and the Achssans again 
put on their armour, and prepared 4 for battle. Then would you 
not see the noble Agamemnon sleeping, nor trembling, nor un- 
willing to fight, but very eager for glorious combat; for he left %%% 
his horses, and his car adorned with brass, and his attendant 
Eurymedon, the son of Ptolemaeus, the son of Peirais. held them 
snorting at a little distance ; whom he strongly charged to keep 
them near him, to receive him whenever weariness should seize 

s He went to go — set out. 

tJ As many chiefs as were. * See line 177. 

2 Dried herbs or roots pounded to a powder — which experience had shown to 
have styptic powers. 

3 Chiron thinldng friendlv things. 4 Were mindful of. 

6 



66 ILIAD IV.— V. 230—262. 

230 his limbs, in giving orders to many. And, on foot, he went 
along the ranks of heroes, and whomsoever of the Danaans, with 
fleet horses 5 , he perceived stirring — standing beside them, he 
greatly encouraged them with words : 

"Argives, spare none of your bold valour; for Jove, the 

235 father, will never be the protector of perjuries ; but these who 
were the first to do injury, contrary to our compact — of these 
same men shall vultures surely devour the limbs 6 ; and we, on the 
other hand, will carry off in our ships their loved wives and 
young children, when we have taken the town." 

240 But whomsoever, again, he saw shrinking from hateful com- 
bat, them he sharply censured with angry words : 

"Miserable 7 Argives, cowards, are ye not ashamed? "Why 
stand ye thus paralysed 8 , like fawns ? who, when they are weary 
with running over a vast plain, stand still, nor is there any 

245 strength in their breasts ; — so stand ye paralysed, and do not 
fight. Or wait ye till the Trojans come nearer — where your 
fair-sterned vessels are laid up 9 upon the shore of the hoary sea 
— that ye may see whether the son of Saturn will hold his hand 
over you ?" 

250 Thus commanding, he reviewed the ranks of heroes, and 
moving along the line, he came to the Cretans. And Idomeneus 
and his troops 1 were arming; Idomeneus was in the van, like a 

255 boar in strength, and Meriones was rousing the columns in the 
rear. And the king of men, Agamemnon, seeing them, was 
delighted, and immediately addressed Idomeneus with pleasant 
words ; 

"Idomeneus, I respect thee, above other Danaans with fleet 
horses, both in battle 2 and at every sort of labour, and in the 

260 feast too, when the chiefs of the Argives mix in goblets the 
generous purple wine ; for, though other long-haired Achaeans 
drink by measure 3 , thy cup stands always full, like my own 4 , to 

5 The warriors in cars. 6 Soft skin — that covers their limbs. 

i io/aw£o» — food for arrows — may possibly meet the sense, if not square with the 
etymology, of which there is much doubt. 

8 Or rather — as if already spent with exertion. 

9 Are dragged ashore. * oi <$' afx©' tioii. 

* In battle I honour thee, &c. i. <?. by rewards — in council by consulting thee, 
&c. But the meaning probably is — I have the highest respect for your universal 
superiority — you are every where most conspicuous — in battle, in foray, in council, 
at table, &c. 

3 i, e. portion which is served up to them — while others helped themselves at 
pleasure — perhaps as a privilege, or mark of distinction. 

4 For, as for me. 



ILIAD IY.— Y. 263—303. 67 

drink when the desire prompts thee. Away then to battle, and 
be such as thou of old dost boast to be." 

And Idomeneus leader of the Cretans, addressed him in re- 265 
turn : " Son of Atreus, certainly I shall be thy steady friend, as 
I at first promised and vowed. But stir up the rest of the long- 
haired Achaeans, that we may engage as soon as possible, as the 
Trojans have broken the compact ; and death and destruction 270 
will in return overtake them 5 , for being the first to commence 
hostilities 6 , contrary to the compact." 

Thus he spake ; and the son of Atreus passed on, delighted 
in his heart ; and moving on along the ranks of men, he came 
to the two Ajaxes. And they were both arming, and with them 
followed a cloud of infantry. And as when a goatherd from a 275 
hill sees a cloud coming along the sea, impelled by the blast of 
the south-west wind ; and to him, being at a distance, it black 
as pitch appears, while advancing along the deep, and brings a 
mighty whirlwind — and seeing it he shudders, and* drives his 
flocks into a cave; so, with the Ajaxes, dense dark columns of 280 
gallant youth, bristling with shields and spears, move into the 
fierce fight. And king Agamemnon, beholding them 7 , was de- 
lighted, and addressed them, he said these winged words : 

" Ye Ajaxes, leaders of brazen-mailed Argives, I do not — for 285 
it would be unseemly — bid you stimulate your troops ; for you 
yourselves strongly urge your people to fight bravely. Jove, 
the father, Minerva, and Apollo ! O that such courage was in 
every breast ; then would the city of king Priam quickly fall, 
taken and destroyed by our hands." 290 

Thus saying, he left them there, and went towards others. 
There he found Nestor, the eloquent orator of the Pylians, 
arranging his comrades, and exhorting them to fight, namely, 
Pelagon 8 , Alastor, Chromius, king Haemon, and Bias, shepherd 295 
of men 9 . The cavalry he posted, with their horses and cars, in 
front, and the numerous and strong infantry in the rear, to be 
the main support of the battle ; but the cowards he drove in the 
middle of them, that, though unwilling, they might fight from 
necessity. To the cavalry he first gave his orders ; and he 300 
charged them to rein in their horses, and not get into disorder; 
neither let any one, said he, trusting to his driving-skill and 
bravery, seek, alone, in advance of others, to fight with the 

3 Will be to them after. 

6 Have done injuries. 

" reus — CpsaS, the Ajaxes; as in 311, 2. rov — f&»v, both refer to Nestor. 

« ous a/x<p» neXa/ovra, &c. i. e. these chiefs and their troops. 

9 Shepherd of peoples — i. e, commander of troops. 



68 ILIAD IV.— V. 304-343. 

Trojans, nor let him fall back, — for, if you do, you will only be 

305 .the feebler. And whatever warrior comes up to another car, 
from his own car let him stretch forward with his spear 10 — since 
thus it is much better. In this manner also the ancients laid 
waste cities and forts, keeping this purpose and resolve in their 
breasts." 

310 Thus did the old man of long experience in war 1 stimulate 
them ; and king Agamemnon, seeing him, was delighted, and 
saying winged words, addressed him : 

" Would, old man, that as is the spirit in thy bosom, so thy 
knees could follow, and thy strength were firm ; but age, which 
comes with his calamities on all, afflicts thee. Would that some 

315 other of men had it, and that thou wert among the younger." 

Then Nestor, the Gerenean chief replied : " Son of Atreus, 
surely I myself too wish that I were the same as when I slew 

320 the noble Ereuthalion ; but never do the gods give all things to 
men at once : if I was then a youth, now age in turn comes upon 
me. But even so will I mix with the car-warriors, and direct 
them by my counsel and my words, for that is the office of old 

325 men ; and the younger men, who were born later than I, and 
who trust in their vigour, will brandish the spears." 

Thus he spake ; and the son of Atreus passed on, delighted 
in his heart. Next he found the son of Peteus, Menesthes. 
skilled in horsemanship, standing 2 ; and around him were the 
Athenians, skilful in battle ; and next him stood the wise Ulys- 

330 ses, and beside him stood the no-feeble ranks of the Cephalieni- 
ans; for not yet had their men heard the shout, since the 
columns of Trojan chiefs and Achseans, now excited, were but 
just in motion. But they stood waiting until another division 3 

335 of the Achaaans advancing should charge the Trojans, and com- 
mence the battle. Then the king of men, Agamemnon, seeing 
them, upbraided them, and speaking in winged words, said : 
" O son of Peteus, the heaven-supported king ; and thou, full 

340 of evil wiles, and crafty, why, trembling, keep ye aloof, and wait 
for others ? You, indeed, it became to be among the foremost, 
and to go and meet the glowing battle. You are the first invited 
by me to the feast, when we Achceans prepare a feast for the 

10 Expressive of the action of hurling a spear from the car, apparently. "When 
he encounters an enemy's car, he is not to alight ; but to remain in his car, and 
from thence hurl his spear. The fighter did not drive. 

1 Of old well acquainted with arms. 

2 i. e. not preparing for battle — he had yet no intimation of what was going 
forward. 

3 Tower. 



ILIAD IV.— V. 344— 378. 69 

chiefs, where you are wont 4 to eat roast meat, and drink goblets 
of sweet wine as long as you choose : but now ye would look on 34~ 
with satisfaction if even ten divisions of Achasans were to fight 
in advance of you with direful arms." 

And wise Ulysses, looking sternly at him, replied : " Son of 
Atreus, what speech is this that has escaped the barrier of thy 350 
teeth ; how, pray, canst thou say we shrink from fight ? When 
we Achseans rouse up sharp Mars against the Trojans, tamers of 
horses, then shalt thou behold, if thou wilt, and if thou carest 
about the matter, the fond father of Telemachus, mingled with 
the foremost warriors of the Trojans, tamers of horses. But 355 
these are idle words thou utterest." 

And king Agamemnon, when he perceived that he was irri- 
tated, addressed him, smiling, and resumed his speech : " Most 
noble 5 son of Laertes, ever-ready 6 Ulysses, by no means will I 
chide thee, or give thee orders ; for I know that the spirit 
within thy breast knows kind counsels 7 ; and what thou thinkest, 3(H) 
I think 8 . Come then, these matters we will settle afterwards, 
if anything ill has been said : and may the Gods render it all 
air/' 

Thus speaking, he left them there, and went to others. And 
he found the son of Tydeus, brave Diomedes, standing by his 365 
horses and strong 9 cars; and beside him stood Sthenelus, the 
son of Capaneus. Then the king Agamemnon, beholding him, 
reproved him, and speaking winged words, addressed him : 

" Alas, son of Tydeus, the brave tamer of horses, why trem- 370 
blest thou, and why gazest thou upon the battle-field 1 ? Tydeus 
was not thus wont 2 to tremble, but rather, far in front of his 
dear comrades, to combat with the foe. So said they who saw 
him toiling, for I never met with him, nor saw him ; but they 
say he was superior to others. Once, without hostility, he came 375 
to Mycenae, a guest, along with the godlike Polyneices, to raise 
forces ; for they were then marching an army against the sacred 
walls of Thebes, and entreated them (the Myceneans) much to 

4 Where it is dear — the phrase expresses a habit, repeatedly. 

5 Heaven-born. 

6 xaxorfi (5oXoia'i xsxatf^svs, when angry, ffoXufJii^avs, when forced to con- 
ciliate. 

7 Has kind thoughts — is well disposed towards me. 

8 i. e. we have no disagreements — our views are the same. 

9 Compact — strongly made. 

1 Bridges of war — the space between the hostile armies. Compare ®. 378,549, 
A. 160, T. 427. 

2 It was not thus dear to him. See 345. 



70 ILIAD IT.— V. 380—412. 

380 give them some brave auxiliaries. And they {the Mycemansj 
were willing to give them, and assented as they requested : but 
Jupiter deterred them — showing unpropitious omens. And 
they {Tydeus and Polyneices) when they had departed, and 
were on their way to Thebes, arrived at the Asopus, full of 
reeds and flags ; from whence the Achseans dispatched Tydeus 

385 to Thebes, on an embassy 2 . And he went thither and found 
many Cadmeans feasting in the mansion of the mighty Eteocles 3 - 
There neither, stranger as was the equestrian Tydeus, was he 
troubled, though but one among many Cadmeans ; for he chal- 
lenged them ail to the contests, and easily overcame them in all 

390 — so great an assistant was Minerva to him. Then the Cad- 
means, prickers of horses 4 ,, indignant taking fifty youth, placed 
them in close ambuscade against him as he returned ; and the 
two leaders were Maeon, the son of Haemon, like to the immor- 

395 tals, and the son of Autophonus, the hardy Lycophontes. Even 
upon these did Tydeus inflict a disgraceful death — he slew them 
all, and let 5 only one return home. Maeon then he dismissed, in 
obedience to the portents of the Gods. Such was Tydeus, the 

400 JEtolian ; but he begat a son inferior to himself in combat, 
though superior in talking 6 ." 

Thus he spake, and the brave Diomedes answered not, through 
respect 7 for the reprimand of the venerable 8 king. 

But the son of the illustrious Capaneous answered : " Son of 
Atreus, utter not falsehoods, when thou knowest how to speak 

405 truth 9 . We, however, boast to be much superior to our fathers. 
We also took the city of seven-gated Thebes, conducting 1 a 
smaller force up to the walls of Mars, trusting to the omens of 
the Gods, and the aid of Jove ; but they, by their own folly per- 

410 ished. Therefore place not our lathers in equal honour with 
us 2 ." 

And the gallant Diomedes, looking sternly, addressed him : 



2 i. e. to demand satisfaction for Polyneices. 

8 Eteoclean might. 4 Drivers of horses with goads. 
5 Sent. « a y^iV' 

7 Respecting. 

s attioioi — here, a person entitled to respect for his authority, not his age or 
personal appearance — potent. 

9 Lie not, understanding to speak truly — i. e. when it is not your disposition to 
lie, or when you know better — that what you say is not true. 

i ayayovQ' — a dual — meaning Tydides and himself. 

2 The jL^of does not seem to depend on ofjioirj. The force of it may perhaps be 
thus expressed : Do not in my presence put our fathers in equal honour with us . 



ILIAD IV.— V. 413—452. 71 

;r Hush, sit in silence, and be advised by me ;. for I will not 
blame Agamemnon, shepherd of the people, while rousing the 
well-armed Actmeans to light, because upon him will the glory 415 
come, if the Achaeans overthrow the Trojans, and capture sacred 
Ilium ; and, on the other hand, great sorrow, should the Achseans 
be defeated. But come, now let both attend to actual battle." 

He said, and leaped with his arms from the car to the ground, 420 
and the brass upon the breast of the king rang fearfully as he- 
strode. Terror might have seized even the brave 3 . 

And as when upon a much-resounding shore a wave of the 
sea, — one following another,— rushes, while the Zephyrus stirs 
them ; at first, it rises in the deep water, and afterwards, dashed 425 
against the land, it roars loudly, and swells, being curled, around 
the rocks, and scatters 4 the salt spray ; so then, one after the 
other, incessantly moved the columns of the Danaans to battle, 
and each commander gave order to his forces, but the rest 5 ad- 430 
vanced mute — nor could you have said, that so vast an army 
followed, having voice within their breasts — reverencing their 
chiefs by their silence ; and around all shone their variegated 
armour, arrayed in which they marched in order. But the 
Trojans, as the sh'eep of a wealthy man, in myriads, stand in the 435 
fold whilst being milked 6 , constantly bleating, hearing the voice 
of their lambs : so the clamour of the Trojans rose throughout 
the wide army ; for the cry of all was not the same, nor the 
voice one, but the language was mixed, for there were men sum- 
moned from many parts. These Mars urged on ; and those the 
blue-eyed Minerva, and Terror, and Fear, and Discord, insatiably 440 
raging, the sister and companion of Mars, slayer of men — small at 
first, she (Discord) magnifies, but soon her head approaches 
heaven, while she treads upon the earth. At that time also, 
going through the crowd, and increasing 7 the groans of men, she 445 
flung in the midst of them contention, destructive alike to all. 

And now when advancing on both sides, they come to one 
spot, they brought together shields and spears, and the might of 
warriors, armed with brazen corselets ; and now their bossed 
shields came in contact with each other, and the great tumult 
arose. Then was there at once the shriek and the shout of 450 
men, of the slaughtering and the slaughtered ; and the earth 
flowed with blood. And, as when wintry torrents, rolling down 



3 One whose mind would bear every thing. 4 Spits out. 

5 i. e. the troops, as distinguished from their commanders. 

6 Milked of their white milk. 

7 i. e. by inflicting wounds. 



72 ILIAD IV.— V. 454—487. 

the mountains from their vast sources, pour together 8 their rapid 

455 waters into a lake within the hollow glen ; and the shepherd 
among the mountains afar off hears their roar — so was the shout 
and the terror of them mingling together. 

And Antilochus was the first who slew a warrior 9 of the 
Trojans, gallant in the van 1 , Echepolus, the son of Thalysias — 
him 2 he first struck upon the cone of the helmet, crested with 

460 horse-hair ; and the brazen spear fixed in his forehead and then 
pierced the hone within, and darkness covered his eyes 3 : and 
he fell, as when a tower falls 4 , in violent battle. And king 
Elephenor, son of Chalchodontes. the leader of the brave Abantes, 

465 seized him by the feet, as he fell, and dragged him from among 
the weapons with eagerness, that he might at once plunder him 
of his armour ; but the effort was short. For the brave Agenor, 
seeing him dragging the body, wounded him with his brazen 
spear in the ribs — which were uncovered by his shield 5 , as he 

470 stooped 6 — and loosed his limbs 7 . Thus life quitted him ; and 
over him an arduous work 8 of Trojans and Acheeans arose, and 
they rushed upon one another like wolves, and man struck 
down man. There the Telamonian Ajax slew Simoeisius, the 
son of Anthemion, a vigorous youth, whom his mother once, 

475 descending from Ida, bore at the banks of the Simoi's, when she 
accompanied her parents to see their flocks. For that reason 
they called him Simoeisius ; but he returned not to his beloved 
parents their care 9 , for short was the life of him, killed by the 
spear of the brave Ajax. Him first, as he advanced 1 , Ajax 

480 struck upon the breast, near the right pap, and the brazen spear 
went to the opposite side through the shoulder; and he fell 
among the dust on the ground, like a poplar tree, which grew 
in the waters 2 of a large marsh, (smooth, and branches grew 

485 upon its top,) and a maker of cars cut it down with a bright 
hatchet 3 , that he might bend it into the felloe of a wheel for a 
splendid car ; and it lies drying by the bank of the river — thus 4 

s CufXjSaXXsTOV — a dual — to correspond with the two armies. 

9 A man bearing arms. 1 Among the foremost fighters. 

2 <rov pa — as resuming — him, I say. 

3 And darkness covered him as to the eyes. 

4 i. e. like a tower. 

5 Became visible outside of the shield — were exposed. ■ 

6 To him stooping. ' i. e. killed him. 

8 An obstinate combat. 

9 The support — the care they had bestowed in bringing him up. 

1 Coming. 2 Moist place. 3 Iron. 

4 Such an one— like this — similar to this. 



ILIAD IV.— Y. 488—525. 73 

did the noble Ajax slay Simoeisius, the son of Anthemion. But 
at hinri (Ajax) did Antiphus, a son of Priam ; in an ornamented 
corselet, in the ranks hurl his sharp javelin ; missed him indeed, 490 
but wounded upon the groin, Leucus, the brave comrade of 
Ulysses, as he was dragging the body to the other side ; and he 
fell upon it, and the body dropped from his hand. Then Ulysses, 
was much enraged in his mind on account of the slain 5 , and ad- 495 
vanced among the foremost combatants, armed in glittering 
brass, and coming very near he stopped, and looking all around 
him, threw his shining spear; and the Trojans fell back as the 
hero was hurling his spear 6 . And he sent not the weapon in 
vain, but struck Democoon, a bastard son of Priam, who came 
to him from Abydus, from keeping the fleet mares. Him, I say, 500 
Ulysses, enraged on account of his comrade, struck with the spear 
upon the temple ; and the brazen point passed through the 
other temple, and darkness covered his eyes ; and falling he 
made a crash, and his arms rang upon him. Then the foremost 505 
fighters and the illustrious Hector gave way ; and the Argives 
loudly shouted, and dragged away the dead, and pushed on much 
farther. And Apollo, looking down from the citadel 7 of Troy, 
was indignant, and shouting, exhorted the Trojans: 

" Rush on, Trojans, tamers of horses, nor yield the battle to 
the Argives, for their bodies are not stone nor iron to resist the 510 
flesh-cutting brass, when they are struck 8 ; and besides, Achilles, 
son of the fair-haired Thetis, is not fighting, but nursing his 
bitter resentment at the ships." 

Thus spake the terrible god from the city ; and Minerva, 
daughter of Jove, the glorious Tritogeneia 9 , going through the 515 
army, stimulated the Achaeans, wherever she perceived them 
relaxing their efforts. 

Then fate crippled Diores, the son of Amarynceus, for he 
was struck upon the right leg near the ancle by a large rugged 
stone : and Peiros, the son of Imbrasus, leader of the Thracians, 520 
who had come from iEnos, threw it. The two tendons and the 
bones the destructive 1 stone quite crushed : and he fell supine 
in the dust, stretching out both hands to his loved comrades, as 
he breathed out his life. But Peiros, who had struck him, 
rushed upon him, and wounded him with his spear by the navel ; 525 

5 Him being slain. c The man casting his spear. 7 Pergamus. 

8 Since the flesh of (to) them struck is not stone or iron to resist the brass 
which cuts the body. 

. 9 As if sprung from the head of Jove. <rp»Tov is said traditionally, to have been 
the old Cretan word for head. 

1 Shameless — Virgil has mons improbus, JGn. xii. 687. 



74 ILIAD IV.— V. 526—544 

and then all the entrails gushed out upon the ground, and dark- 
ness covered his eyes. 

But him (Peiros) Thoas, the iEtolian rushing at him 2 , struck 
in the breast, above the pap, with his spear, and it 3 stuck in his 

£30 lungs. Then Thaos come close to him, and plucked the strong 
spear from his breast ; and drew his sharp sword, with which he 
struck him in the middle of his belly, and deprived him of life. 
But he did not strip him (Peiros) of his armour; for his com- 
rades stood round him, the Thracians with hair on the crown of 
their heads 4 , holding long spears in their hands, and drove him 

^35 ( Thoas), mighty, brave, and distinguished though he was, from 
them ; and he, retiring, was repulsed. Thus these two leaders, 
the one of the Thracians, and the other of the brazen-mailed 
Epeans, were stretched beside each other in the dust ; and many 
others also were slain round them. 

There, would not any man, coming in, have found fault with 

££Q the battle 5 , who was present 6 in the midst of it, still unhurt and 
unwounded with the sharp spear 7 , and Pallas Minerva, taking 
him by the hand, conducted him, and averted the aim of the 
weapons ; for many Trojans and Achasans were that day stretched 
prone beside each other in the dust. 

2 Rushing on. 3 ;^aXxo£. 

4 ax£oxo^o». They wore a lock of hair only on their head. Compare them 
with the Abantes, B. 542 ; and the Achseans every where. 

5 Work. 6 Move about. ? 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK V. 



ARGUMENT. 



Diomedes is extraordinarily distinguished. He kills Pandarus, who had violated 
the truce, and wounds first Venus and then Mars. 

There, in his turn, Pallas Minerva gave strength and courage 
to Diomedes, son of Tydeus, that he might become conspicuous 
among all the Argives, and obtain a good renown. She made 
unwearied fire blaze 1 from his helm and his shield, like an au- 
tumnal star, which shines with greatest splendour when washed 5 
by the ocean 2 . Such fire she caused to blaze from his head and 
shoulders 3 ; and she impelled him into the midst, where the 
tumult was greatest 4 . 

And among the Trojans; there was one Dares, wealthy, 
worthy, a priest of Vulcan ; and he had two sons, Phegeus and 
Idaeus, well skilled in every kind of combat. These, separated 10 
from their friends 5 , rushed forward against Diomedes, the two 
in a car ; whilst he on the ground advanced on foot 6 . And 
when now they were coming almost close one to another, Phe- 
geus first discharged his long spear, and the point of the spear 15 
went over the left shoulder of the son of Tydeus, and wounded 
him not. And next the son of Tydeus launched his spear 7 , and 

1 Or, blazed from his helm and shield an unwearied fire. 

2 i. e. at its rising. 

3 Shield and corselet. 

4 Where most — the greatest number weie in conflict. 

5 i. e. having outstripped them — advanced beyond the lines. 

6 The two from horses, and he from the ground, excited the battle on foot. 
' Attacked with brass. 



76 ILIAD V.— V. 18—57. 

the weapon flew not from his hand in vain; but struck him 
(Phegeus) upon the breast, between the paps, and hurled him 

30 from his car 8 * And Idseus leaped down, quitting the splendid 
car, but ventured not to protect his slaughtered brother 9 . Nor 
would he himself have escaped black fate, had not Yulcan 
snatched him away, and covering him in cloud 1 , saved him, thai 
his aged father 2 might not be altogether desolate. And the son 

25 of brave Tydeus, leading off the horses, gave them to his com- 
rades, to take down to the hollow ships. And the brave Tro- 
jans, when they beheld the two sons of Dares, the one flying, and 
the other slain beside his car, the minds of all were shaken. 

30 And blue-eyed Minerva taking impetuous Mars by the hand, 
addressed him in words : 

" Mars, man-plaguing, blood-stained, wall-storming Mars, shall 
we not now leave the Trojans and Achseans to fight it out — to 
whichever father Jove may give glory — and we withdraw, and 

35 avoid the anger of Jove ?" 

Thus having spoken, she led impetuous Mars from the battle. 
Then she placed him beside the high-banked Scamander ; and 
the Danaans repulsed the Trojans, and each of the leaders slew 
his man. And first Agamemnon, king of men, struck from his 

40 car the mighty Hodius, chief of the Halizonians ; for into his 
back, first, between the shoulders, while turning 3 to flight, he 
thrust the spear, and drove it through his breast. And falling, 
he made a crash, and his armour rattled upon him. 

And Idomeneus, next, slew Phgestus, the son of Borus, the 

45 Masonian, who had come from fruitful Tarne. Him noble 4 Ido- 
meneus wounded in the right shoulder with his long spear, as 
he was just mounting his car ; and he fell from the car, and hor- 
rible darkness seized him. Him then the attendants of Idome- 
neus plundered. 

And Scamandrius, son of Strophius, skilful in hunting, Mene- 

50 laus, son of Atreus, slew with his sharp spear — a good hunter, 
for Diana herself taught him to shoot all wild things, which the 
forest on the mountains feeds 5 . But Diana, delighting in arrows, 
then helped him not, nor his skill 6 in shooting, for which he had 

56 been before so distinguished ; for the son of Atreus, Menelaus, 
skilled in the spear, wounded him, as he fled before him, in the 
back, between the shoulders, with his spear, and drove it through 

8 The horses. 9 i. e. his dead body. • Night. 

2 oi ys^wv— the old to him. 3 F or to him first turning. 

4 Distinguished for the spear. 

5 All wild animals — <ra ts, those which the forest on the mountains feeds. 

6 The far-dartings — the long shots. 



ILIAD V.— V. 58—95. 77 

his breast. And he fell prone, and his armour rattled upon him. 

And Meriones slew Phereclus, the son of the artist Harmo- 
nides, who understood how to make with his hands all the works 60 
of art ; for Pallas Minerva especially loved him. He had also 
built for Alexander the equal ships — the sources of evil, — 
which were a mischief to all the Trojans, as well as to himself: 
for he did not understand the oracles 7 of the gods. Him Meri- 
ones. when at last, pursuing, he overtook him, wounded upon the 65 
right buttock ; and the spear went right through by the bladder, 
under the Done ; and shrieking, he sunk upon his knees, and 
death covered him round. 

And next Meges slew Pedseus, a son of Antenor, who indeed 
was a bastard, but the noble Theano, to oblige 8 her husband, 70 
carefully nourished him, the same as her own beloved children. 
Him the son of Phyleus 9 , skilful in the spear, coming near, 
struck upon the back of the head with his sharp spear: and the 
spear cut quite through the teeth, below the tongue. And he 
fell in the dust, and seized the cold brass with his teeth. 75 

And Eurypylus, son of Evasmon, slew the noble Hypsenor, 
son of brave Doiopion — he who was a priest of Scaniander, and 
who was honored by the people like a gocl. Him, then, as he 
was flying before him, Eurypylus, the illustrious son of Evasmon, 
wounded upon the shoulder, striking at him with 1 his sword. SO 
while he was running : and cut off his heavy hand. And the 
hand fell bloody upon the plain, while purple death and power- 
ful fate seized his eyes. 

Thus did they toil in vigorous battle ; but as for the son of 
Tydeus, you would not have known to which party he belonged, 85 
whether he was connected with the Trojans or with the Ach- 
ieans ; for he rushed along the plain like a swollen winter-tor- 
rent, which, flowing rapidly, overturns bridges ; and neither do 
strong bridges restrain it, nor even the embankments of flourish- 90 
ing fields check it, coming suddenly, when the rain of Jove has 
fallen with violence ; and many fair works 2 of stout 3 labourers 
are overthrown by it. So were the dense phalanxes of 'the 
Trojans thrown into confusion by Tydides, nor did they wait 
his onset, numerous though they were 4 . 

But when the illustrious son of Lycaon marked him rushing 95 



" Those by which the Trojans were said to have been commanded to abstain 
from maritime concerns. 

8 Obliging. 9 Meges. 

1 Making an attack with. 2 i. e. cultivated fields — crops- 

3 ai^wv—young, sturdy. 4 Being numerous. 



78 ILIAD V.— V. 96—132. 

along the plain, and routing the phalanxes before him ; forth- 
with he directed his bent bow against the son of Tydeus, and 
hit him whilst rushing on, striking the cavity of the corselet at 

100 the right shoulder: and the dire arrow flew through, and came 
forth at the other side, and his corselet was stained with blood. 
At this the illustrious son of Lycaon shouted loud : " Push on, 
brave Trojans, prickers of horses 5 , for the bravest of the Ach- 
aeans is stricken ; nor do I think he will long endure the forceful 
arrow, if the king, the son of Jove 6 , indeed incitecUne, when I 

105 set out from Lycia." 

Thus he spake, boasting; but him {Diomedes) the swift arrow 
did not kill ; for retreating, he stood before his horses and «ar, 
and addressed Sthenelus, the son of Capaneus : 

" Make haste, good son of Capaneus, alight from the car, that 

110 thou mayst draw this bitter arrow from my shoulder." 

Thus he spake ; and Sthenelus leaped down from the car to 
the ground, and standing beside him, drew from his shoulder the 
swift arrow completely, and the blood spouted forth through the 
twisted tunic 6 . Then brave Diomedes prayed : 

115 '• Hear me, offspring of aegis-bearing Jove, invincible. If ever 
with kind intent 7 thou stoodest by me, and by my father, in 
glowing battle, now again befriend me, O Minerva ; and give 
me to overtake that man, and to come within spear's cast 8 of 
him, who, being beforehand with me, has hit me, and boasts, and 

120 says that I shall not long behold the splendid light of the sun." 
Thus he spake praying ; and Pallas Minerva heard him ; for 
she made his limbs light, his feet, and his hands above 9 : and 
standing near him, she uttered these winged words : 

"Fight boldly 1 now, Diomedes, against the Trojans; for I 

125 have put into thy breast paternal vigour, intrepid, such as 
Tydeus, the shield-shaking chief, possessed. And I have like- 
wise removed from thine eyes the mist, which before was upon 
them, that thou mayst well know both a god and a man. There- 
to fore now, if a god come hither to attack 2 thee, fight not thou 
against other immortal gods, but if Fenus, the daughter of Jove, 
come into the battle, her, at least, strike with thy sharp lance. 7 ' 



5 Goaders of horses — xsvropsg itfflrwv — equivalent to it^rfe Jffffoi. 

5 Apollo. 6 i. e. of chain-mail, perhaps. 

7 Thinking friendly thoughts. 

8 The casting of a spear — the violence of a spear. 

9 Above — as below is understood with "feet." 

1 Taking courage, fight, &e. 

2 Trying — i. e. attacking. 



ILIAD V.— V. 133^166. 79 

The blue-eyed Minerva then, having thus spoken, departed. 
And Tydides, again advancing, was mixed with the foremost 
combatants. And, although before eager in his soul to fight with 135 
the Trojans, then indeed three times as much vigour seized 
him, like a lion — like one 3 which a shepherd in the field with 
his fleecy flocks has wounded, while leaping over the fold, and 
not killed ; — its fury rather has he roused, and then no longer 
resists it, but escapes into the huts, and the deserted things take 14.0 
alarm, and huddling together, they crowd on one another; and 
he (lhe How) springs fiercely out of the deep fold 4 . Thus 
fiercely was the gallant Diomedes mixed with the Trojans. 

There he slew Astynoiis and Hypeinor, shepherd of the 
people — wounding the one above the pap with his brazen spear, 145 
and the other he struck with his huge sword upon the shoulder, 
near the collar-bone cut oif the shoulder from the neck, and from 
the back. These he quitted, and went after Abas and Polyeidus, 
sons of Eurydamas, an aged interpreter of dreams. For them, 
when they departed for the war, the old man did not interpret 150 
his dreams 5 ; and the brave Diomedes stript them of their 
armour 5 . Then he pursued Xanthus and Thoon, the two sons 
of Phasnops, his only ones 7 ; for he was worn out with miserable 
old age, and had no other son to leave his possessions to 8 . These 
then he (Diomedes) slew, and took away their life from both : 15-5 
and left to their father weeping and lamentable cares, because 
he received them not returning alive from the battle ; and 
strangers 9 divided his wealth. 

Then Diomedes seized two sons of Priam, son of Dardanus, 
being both in one car, Echemon and Chromius ; and as a lion, 160 
springing among cattle, breaks the neck of a heifer or an ox, 
while grazing in the woods; so did the son of Tydeus hurl both 
of them, grievously against their will, from their car, and then 
stript them of their armour; whilst the car he gave to his com- 165 
rades, to drive to the ships. 

' ov p a - 4 *'• e. of course with a Iamb or sheep in his mouth. 

5 sxpivcwo— middle — the dreams were his own apparently — *. e. he was one 
who had the faculty of foreseeing or divining events by dreams ; and on this occa- 
sion neglected to make use of it. , 

G i. e. of course, after killing them. 

1 TTjXu/erw. See T. 175. 

8 He was the father of no other son, over his possessions to be left. 

9 X^^^ 7 "'? tnose w h° filled up the vacuum left by the death of children, and 
who might or might not be connected by blood or affinity ; not heirs at law in 
the modern sense, but whoever succeeded to the property were the p/rjpcjtTTau 
Aia<5a<rsovTo. 



SO ILIAD V.— V. 167—201. 

And iEneas beheld him thinning the ranks of men, and he 
hastened through the battle, and through the clash of spears, 
seeking the godlike Pandarus, if he could anywhere find him. 

170 He found the good and brave son of Lycaon. and stood in front 
of him, and addressed these words to him : 

-" Pandarus, where are 1 thy bow, thy feathered arrows, and 
thy glory, in which (the bow) no man here contends with thee, 
nor boasts any one in Lycia to be superior to thee ? Come then, 
lift up thy hands to Jove, and send 2 an arrow at Jkat man — 

1.75 whoever he may be, who is thus master of the fma, and has 
already done so many evil deeds to the Trojans: for he has re- 
laxed the limbs of many and brave warriors — unless he is some 
god, displeased with the Trojans, and offended at some neglect 
of sacrifices ; and the anger of a god is terrible." 

And to him, in reply, the illustrious son of Lycaon said : 

180 "iEneas, counsellor of the brazen-mailed Trojans, I think him 
in all respects like brave Tydides, judging by the shield and 
crested helm, and looking at his horses ; and I do not clearly 
know whether it is a god 3 . But if he be the man whom I think 
him to be, the warlike son of Tydeus, he rages not thus without 

185 a god, but some one of the immortals stands near him, who, with 
his shoulders 4 wrapt in cloud, turns away from him in another 
direction, the swift-flying arrow ; for already have I discharged 
an arrow at him, and struck him upon the right shoulder, through 
the hollow of his corselet ; and I thought I had dismissed him 

190 to Hades, but after all I did not kill him — some god is angry 5 . 
And I have no horses with me, nor car, which I might mount ; 
though in the halls of Lycaon there are eleven beautiful cars, 
in a perfect state 6 , and newly made, and coverings hang round 

195 them ; and beside each of them stand a couple of horses 7 , eating 
white barley and rye. To be sure the aged warrior Lycaon, in 
his well-built mansion, enjoined me very much when setting 
out, and bade me lead the Trojans 8 into hard battles, mounted 

200 upon my horses and car ; but I obeyed not — certainly it would 
have been better if I had — fearing for my horses, lest, being 

1 i. e. what has become of 1 2 Lifting up — send, &c. 

3 i. e. I think it is Diomedes, and not a god ; but if he be not a god, he has cer- 
tainly a god with him, &c. 

4 As to his shoulders — about his shoulders. 

5 i. e. with himself, Pandarus means. 

6 First made — i. e. just as they were first built. 
v &£uyoi itftfoj — horses trained to go in pairs. 

8 He was a Trojan. Zeleia was at the foot of Ida, and under the dominion of 
the Trojans. 



ILIAD V— V. 203—243. 81 

accustomed to feed liberally, they might be in want of food, 
among men shut up in a town. So I left them; and came on 
foot to Ilium, trusting to my bow, which however was not to be 205 
of service to me. For already have I shot at two chiefs, the 
son of Tydeus, and the son of Atreus, and from both have I, 
striking them, drawn blood manifestly ; but I have only the 
more inflamed them. With bad luck therefore did I take the 
bent bow from the peg, on that day when I led Trojans to 210 
lovely Ilium, to oblige the noble Hector. But if ever I shall 
return, and behold with my eyes my native land, and my wife, 
and my large and lofty mansion ; then may forthwith some 
foreigner 9 cut off my head 1 if I put not this bow into the bright 
fire, first breaking it with my hands : for I have brought it with 215 
me to no purpose 2 ." 

And iEneas, leader of the Trojans, again addressed him: 
" Talk not so— it will not be otherwise 3 , till thou and I, with 
horses and car, going in arms against this man, attack him. 220 
Come, then, ascend my car, that thou mayest see what Trojan 
horses are — how well along the plain they can rapidly pursue, or 
retreat, in any direction. They will carry us, too, in safety to 
the city, if Jove yet again bestow glory upon Diomedes, the son 225 
of Tydeus. Come, then, take the whip and the beautiful reins, 
and I will alight from the car to fight ; or do thou encounter 
him, and the horses shall be my care." 

And to him, in reply, the illustrious son of Lycaon said : 
" iEneas, do thou thyself keep the reins, and thine own horses 230 
— they will bear the curved car better under their wonted 4 
driver, if again we must fly from the son of Tydeus — lest, be- 
coming frightened, they grow restive, and not choose to bear us 
out of the battle, requiring thy voice ; and the son of brave 
Tydeus, pressing hard upon us, kill ourselves, and drive away 235 
the solid-hoofed horses. Drive thou therefore thine own car 
and thine own horses, and I will encounter him, advancing with 
the sharp spear." 

Thus then having spoken — mounting the variegated car, 
they drove the swift horses at full speed towards Tydides. And 240 
Sthenclus, the noble son of Capaneus, saw them, and immedi- 
ately addressed these winged words to Tydides : 

u Diomedes, son of Tydeus, my dear friend 5 , 1 see two gallant 

9 A foreign man. i Cut from me my head. 

2 It accompanied me in vain. 

3 i. e. the fortune of the battle will not change. 

4 Accustomed to drive them. 

5 Dear, or endeared to my soul, or feelings. 

7 



82 ILIAD V.— V. 245—281. 

245 men, of immense strength coming in haste to fight with thee j 
the one is Pandarus, well skilled in archery, and claims 6 to he 
the son of Lycaon ; and the other, iEneas, claims to have "been 
horn the son of the nohle Anchises, and his mother is Yenus. 
Come, then, let us now retire 7 in the car ; and do not thou thus 

250 rage among the foremost comhatants, lest thou lose thy life." 

But stout Diomedes, looking sternly at him, said : " Talk not 
of flight 8 , for I think thou wilt not persuade me : for it would not 
hecome my birth 9 to flinch from fighting, or to he afraid ; my 

255 strength is still entire. I am not disposed to mount my car ; but 
even in this way 1 will I go against them, for Pallas Minerva 
allows me not to tremble. And both these their swift horses 
shall not carry back again from us, if even one escapes. But I 

260 tell thee another thing, and do thou fix it in thy mind : if the 
all-wise Minerva grant me the glory to kill both, then do thou 
fasten here these fleet horses, tying the* reins to the car 2 ; and 
mindful of the horses of iEneas, rush upon them, and drive them 

265 away from the Trojans to the well-armed Acheeans ; for they are 
of that breed, which Jove the Thunderer gave to Tros, as the 
price of his son Ganymede ; wherefore they are the best of 
horses, as many as are under the morning and the sun. Anchises, 
king of men, stole the breed, getting mares covered by them 3 

270 without the knowledge of Laomedon ; from them were born to 
him in the palace six foals of that stock. Pour he keeps him- 
self, and takes great care of them in the stables, and these two, 
trained for war 4 , he gave to iEneas ; if we can take them, we 
shall gain great glory." 

Such things thus they spake to each other; and the two 

275 Trojans speedily came near, driving their swift horses. The 
illustrious son of Lycaon first addressed him : 

" Well, bold, brave son of noble Tydeus, the swift weapon did 
not subdue thee— the bitter arrow ; but now I will try with my 
spear if I can succeed." 

230'. He said, and shaking his long spear, hurled it, and struck the 
shield of Tydides; and right through it the brazen point flying, 

6 sv^srcti — not boasts, but asserts of himself, or claims justly. He has the hon- 
our to be — will apparently express the full meaning of the term. 

7 i. e. tt> the lines. 

s To flight — i. e. to turn me to flight. 

9 ysvvaiev. i i. e. on foot. 

2 av-ruS; — the front of the car, to which the reins were fastened for the purpose 
of keeping the horses from moving. 

3 Putting female' horses under. 

4 i. e. to make the enemy fly. 



ILIAD V.— V. 282—319. S3 

reached 5 the corselet. And at him the noble son of Lycaon 
shouted aloud: 

" Thou art wounded quite through the body 6 , nor do I think 
that thou wilt long endure it ; and great glory hast thou given 285 
to me. ;) 

But the brave Diomedes, unalarmed, replied: "Thou hast 
missed thy mark, and not hit it ; and I suppose ye two will not 
be quiet, till one at least, falling, shall with his blood satiate 
Mars, the indomitable warrior/' 

Thus saying, he threw, and Minerva guided the weapon to 290 
the nose, near the eye, and it went through the white teeth ; 
and the cold spear cut away the extremity of the tongue 7 , and 
the point came out at the lowest part of the chin 8 . And he 
fell from the car, and his variegated, glittering armour rang over 295 
him : and the swift footed horses were startled ; and his life and 
strength were there destroyed.^ Then iEneas sprang from his 
car with his shield and long spear, fearing lest the Achaeans 
should drag away the body ; and around it then he strode like a 
lion, trusting in his might ; and he held before him his spear 300 
and his round shield, eager to kill the rnan who should come 
against him, horribly shouting. But Tydides seized in his hand 
a stone, a mighty mass 1 , which not even two men could bear, 
such as men now are ; but he, even alone, brandished it easily. 
With this he struck the hip of JEneas, where the thigh turns in 305 
the hip — and they call it also the cotyle (tlie socket) — and 
crushed the socket, and burst both the tendons. The rough 
stone tore off the skin ; and the hero stood, dropping upon his 
knees, and leant with his strong hand upon the ground; and 310 
dark night covered his eyes. 

And now iEneas, king of men, would have perished there, 
"unless Venus, the daughter of Jove, had speedily perceived it, 
his mother who bore him to Anchises, feeder of cattle ; and she 
threw her white arms around her own loved son, and she 
covered 2 him with a fold 3 of her shining veil, to be a defence 315 
against weapons, lest any of the fleet Danaans, throwing a spear 
in his breast, should take away his life. And she bore away her 
beloved son from the battle. 

Nor was the son of Capaneus forgetful of the injunctions, 

5 Was brought close to. 6 Belly. 

7 The extreme tongue — i. e. at the root of it 

8 At the last chin. 

9 Loosened. \ A mighty thing. 

■2 Made a fold of her veil to cover him in front— she interposed her veil. 
* vrrvyna— what at other times folded round herself. 



84 ILIAD V.— V. 320—358. 

320 which the gallant Diomedes had given ; for he confined his own 
solid-hoofed horses, apart from the tumult, fastening the reins to 
the car, and rushing upon the beautiful horses of JEneas, drove 

325 them from the Trojans towards the well-armed Achaeans; and 
gave them to Dei'pylus, his loved comrade, whom he honoured 
above all of his own age, because he was of the same sentiments 
with himself 4 , to drive to the hollow ships. But the hero him- 
self, mounting his own car, seized the beautiful reins, and in- 
stantly drove the strong-hoofed horses with eagerness towards 
Tydides. 

330 And he {Diomedes) chased after Yenus with his cruel spear, 
knowing that she was an unwarlike goddess, and not one of those 
deities who rule the battle of heroes, neither, that is, Minerva, 
nor Bellona, destroyer of cities. And when at length he came 
up with her, through the crowded ranks, then the son of brave 

335 Tydeus, stretching forward his spear, and springing after her, 
struck her soft 5 hand 6 with the sharp brass ; and the spear at 
once pierced the skin, through the ambrosial veil, which the 
Graces themselves had made, above the extremity of the palm. 

340 and the immortal blood of the Goddess flowed — ichor, such as 
flows from the blessed Gods ; for they eat no food, nor drink 
purple wine, and on that account are bloodless, and are called 
immortal. And she, shrieking aloud, cast from her her son, and 
Phoebus Apollo snatched him away in his hands in a dark cloud, 

345 lest any of the fleet Danaans, throwing a spear into his bosom, 
should take away his life. And the brave Diomedes loudly 
shouted after her : 

(i Retire, daughter of Jove, from the war and the battle. Is 
it not enough that thou deludest feeble women ? But if ever 

350 thou shalt go into battle again, I surely think thou wilt shudder 
at battle, if thou but nearest of it elsewhere 7 ." 

Thus he spake, and she departed in distress, for she was 
grievously tortured. And the swift Iris 8 , laying hold of her, 
led her from the throng, oppressed with pain ; and her fair skin 

355 grew black. Then she found impetuous Mars sitting on the 
left of the battle, and his spear reclined on a cloud, and his fleet 
horses ; and falling upon her knees, she requested, with many 
entreaties 9 , the golden-harnessed horses of her beloved brother : 

4 Knew things congruous or congenial with him (Sthenelus). 

5 Feeble. 

6 Wounded her extreme hand — i. e. %£ip s<iri xa£<ffw, as in line 458, — the wrist. 

7 Diomedes seems to threaten a severer blow, if he ever catches her in battle 
gain — such as shall make her dread the very name of battle. 

8 With feet of wind. 9 Entreating many things. 



ILIAD V.— V. 359—395. 85 

il Save 1 me, my dear brother, and give me thy horses, that I 
may repair to Olympus, where is the seat of the immortals. 360 
Much am I in pain with a wound which a mortal man has given 
me 2 — the son of Tydeus, who now would fight even with father 
Jove." 

Thus she spake, and Mars of course gave her the golden- 
harnessed horses. And she ascended into the car, grieved in her 
heart, and Iris mounted beside her, and took the reins in her 365 
hands ; and she flogged the horses to proceed, and they not 
unwilling flew : and speedily then they reached the seat of the 
Gods, the lofty Olympus. There Iris, wind-footed, stopped the 
horses, loosing them from the car, and threw before them ambro- 370 
sial food. But the lovely Venus sank upon the knees of Dione, 
her mother; and she embraced her daughter in her arms, 
caressed her with her hand, and spake and said 3 : 

" Which of the celestials, dear child, has done such things to 
you, wantonly, as if thou wert one that ever did aught wrong 
flagrantly 4 ?" 

Her then the laughter-loving Venus answered : " The son 375 
of Tydeus, insolent Diomedes, has wounded me, because I bore 
my loved son from the battle, iEneas, who is far the dearest of 
all to me. For it is no longer a dire contest of Trojans and 
Achseans, but the Danaans now at last fight even with the im- 390 
mortals." 

Then Dione, distinguished among goddesses, replied : " Bear 
it patiently, my child, and endure, grieved although thou be ; 
for many of us, who occupy the mansions of Olympus, bear much 
from men, and bring 5 many severe distresses upon each other. 385 
Mars bore it, when Otus and powerful Ephialtes, sons of Aloeus, 
bound him with a strong chain ; and in a brazen prison he lay 
bound for thirteen months. And perhaps there would Mars, 
insatiable of war 6 , have perished, unless their mother-in-law, the 
beautiful Eriboea 7 , had told it to Mercury ; and he stole away 390 
Mars, now exhausted, for the hard chain had broken him- down. 
And Juno likewise bore it, when the powerful son of Amphytrion 
wounded her upon the right breast, with a triple-pointed arrow 
— then even her intolerable pain seized. Among these 8 also 
the mighty Pluto endured a swift arrow, when the same man 9 , 395 

1 Take me — or take care of me. 2 Has wounded me. 

3 See r. 398. A svuirj} — in the sight or presence of others. 

5 Bringing. 6 Fighting eternally — never weary. 

7 i. e. the wife of Aloeus — instigated by hatred for her husbaad's children, Otus 
and Ephialtes, by Iphimcdiaj Apollod. I. 7. 4. 

8 Gods who had suffered from mortals. 9 Hercules. 



86 ILIAD V.— V. 396—436; 

the son of the oegis-bearing Jove, put him to pain, by wounding 
him at the gate, among the shades 1 . And he went to the man- 
sion of Jove and the lofty Olympus, grieving in his heart, and 
pierced through with pain, for the arrow had been driven into 

400 his brawny shoulder, and afflicted his soul. And Pason, sprink- 
ling upon him some soothing medicines, cured him, for he was 
not in any respect mortal. Audacious, violent wretch is Dio- 
medes, who cares not about doing impious deeds, who pains with 
his arrows the Gods who possess Olympus. But blue-eyed god- 

405 dess Minerva incited him against thee. Foolish is the son of 
Tydeus, nor knows this in his mind, that not very long-lived id 
he who fights with the immortals, nor do his children upon his 
knees ever call him father 2 , returning from war and direful bat- 

410 tie. Let the son of Tydeus therefore, very brave although he 
be, now reflect, lest a mightier than thou tight with him ; lest 
iEgialeia, the virtuous daughter of Adrastus, the noble spouse 
of Diomedes, tamer of horses, soon rouse her domestics from 

415 their sleep, with her lamentations 3 , grieving for her wedded 4 
husband, the bravest of the Achseans. 

She said,, and from her hand with both her own, wiped away 
the ichor. The hand was healed, and the severe pains assuaged. 
But Minervn, and Juno, meanwhile, looking on, provoked Jove. 

420 the son of Saturn, with sarcastic words ; and among them 5 the 
blue-eyed Goddess Minerva, began these words : 

u Wilt thou be angry with me, father Jove, at what I may 
say ? Surely now Venus, whilst stimulating some one of the 
Achasan ladies to follow the Trojans, whom at present she vio- 
lently loves — caressing some one of these fair-veiled Achaean 

425 ladies, has scratched her soft hand with a golden clasp." 

Thus she spake ; and the father of gods and men smiled, and 
calling golden Yenus to him addressed her : 

" Not to thee, dear child, are given the works of war — but do 

430 thou attend to the fond works of wedlock. These things will 
all be the care of swift Mars and of Minerva." 

Such things thus they talked with one another. Meanwhile 
the gallant Diomedes pressed after iEneas, though knowing that 
Apollo himself held his hands over him : but in truth not the 

435 mighty god did he respect, and ever desired to slay iEneas, and 
to strip off his bright armour. Three times then he rushed on,. 

1 Dead bodies. Unless Pylus be taken for the name of the country of old 
Neleus ; and then the word here turned by shades, will stand for the corpses on 
the battle-field. 

2 Pappa him — or lisp pappa. # 3 Lamenting. 

4 xoug«<$io£. • s <ro<(?i — the gods. 



ILIAD V.— V. 437—478. 87 

eager to kill him, and three times Apollo repulsed his shining 
shield ; but when he attacked even the fourth time, like a god, 
the far-darting Apollo, sharply reproving 6 him said : 

" Think, son of Tydeus, and retire, nor desire to equal thyself 440 
with gods 7 ; for the race of immortal gods, and of men, who walk 
upon the earth, is not the same." 

Thus he spake, and Tydides shrank back a little, avoiding the 
wrath of the far-darting Apollo. And Apollo placed ^Eneas 445 
apart from the throng, in sacred Pergamus, where was his own 
temple 8 . Then, in the large shrine 9 , Latona and the arrow- 
loving Diana cured him, and did him honour. And Apollo, of 
the silver bow, made an image resembling iEneas himself, and 450 
the same as to arms ; and then around the image the Trojans 
and noble Aclueans hacked the well-circled bull's hide shields 
and light targes upon each other's breasts. Then Phoebus Apollo 
addressed impetuous Mars : 

" Mars, man-plaguing, blood-stained, wall-storming Mars, wilt 455 
thou not, interfering, drive this man, Tydides, from the battle, 
who would now fight even with father Jove ? For first, close 
to her, he wounded Venus, upon the hand, near the wrist, and 
next, like a god, he assaulted me." 

Thus saying he himself sat down upon the top of Pergamus ; 460 
and destructive Mars urged on the ranks of Trojans, going 
among them in the likeness of Acamas, the swift leader of the 
Thracians, and he encouraged the heaven-protected sons of 
Priam : 

" O sons of Priam, heaven-protected king, how long will ye 
permit the people to be slaughtered by the Achseans ? Until 465 
they fight at the well-made gates ? A hero 1 is fallen, whom we 
honour and equal to the noble Hector, JEneas, the son of noble 
Anchises. Come on, then, let us rescue our brave comrade from 
the tumult." 

Thus saying, he excited the strength and courage of each. 470 
Then, again, Sarpedon sharply reproved the noble Hector : 

" Hector, where is gone the might, which thou didst formerly 
possess? Once thou saidst, that thou wouldst, without troops 
or allies, defend the city — alone, with thy relations and thy 475 
brothers. But not one of them can I now see, or perceive ; but 
they slink away like dogs before a lion, whilst we, on the con- 
trary, who are here as your allies, are fighting. For I also, 

9 

6 Reproving terrible things. 

7 Nor desire to meditate equal things with the gods. 

8 Where a temple was to him. 9 ctSvrtf). 
Lies. m 



88 ILIAD V.— V. 479—511. 

being an ally, come from a very great distance ; for Lycia is far 

480 off, by the deep Xanthus, where I left my loved wife and infant 
son, and many possessions, which he, who has not, longs for. But 
even thus 2 do I exhort the Lycians, and am myself ready to fight 
with a warrior, although I have nothing here for the Achsaans to 
take or carry off. Thou meanwhile standest unconcerned, nor 

485 biddest thy other forces be firm and defend their wives. Beware, 
lest ye, caught 3 as in the meshes of a drag-net, become a capture 
and a prize to hostile men, and they soon destroy your well-in- 
habited city. For these are all matters which it becomes thee 

490 to attend to night and day, supplicating the chiefs of the far- 
summoned allies, perseveringly to resist the foe, and abstaining 
from bullying threats 4 ." 

Thus spake Sarpedon, and the speech stung the soul of Hec- 
tor : and instantly he leaped with his arms from his car to the 

495 ground, and brandishing long spears, he went through the army 
on all sides, exhorting them to fight, and woke up the dire battle. 
And they were turned from flight, and again faced 5 the Achae- 
ans ; and the Argives in a body, sustained them, and were not 
afraid. 

And as the wind sweeps off the chaff in the sacred 6 arenas 7 , 

500 when men are winnowing, what time yellow Ceres separates 
the chaff from the corn, by means of the winds coming upon it ; 
and the neighborhood whitens around ; so were the Achaaans 
then white 8 above with dust — that 9 which among them (Achce- 
ans) the feet of horses (of the Trojans), when they renewed the 

505 combat, threw up to the brazen 1 heaven ; for the drivers 
wheeled round, and they bore the strength of hands 2 right on. 
And impetuous Mars, raging on every side, bringing aid to the 
Trojans, shed darkness round the battle ; and fulfilled the in- 
junctions of Phoebus of the golden sword, who bade him stimu- 

510 late the courage of the Trojans, when he saw Pallas Minerva 
depart. For she was an auxiliary of the Danaans 3 . And he 



t 2 i. e. under these circumstances. 

3 akovTS — dual — Hector and his troops. 

4 And to renounce bullying threats — the construction thus directs the censure 
against the allies, while Hector is plainly the object. The sense contrasts with 
"hitftfoiisvty — similar changes of construction are not unfrequent. 

5 Stand in front. « As sacred to Ceres. 
"' Cleared spots in corn-fields — for winnowing. 

8 i. e. on the surface. 9 ov pa. 

1 With much brass. 2 i. e. the Trojans towards the Achseans. 

3 For she was to the Danaans a helper. 



ILIAD V.— V. 512—553. 89 

himself sent iEneas from his own very rich shrine, and put 
vigour into the breast of the shepherd of the people. 

And JEneas stood among his comrades ; and they were de- 
lighted when they saw him alive, and advancing unhurt, and 515 
possessing his strength entire ; and they asked no question at 
all, for other toil suffered not, which he of the silver how ex- 
cited, and Mars, destroyer of men, and Discord insatiably raging. 

But the two Ajaxes, and Ulysses, and Diomedes, urged the 
Danaans to fight : nor did they themselves dread *the strength 520 
of the Trojans nor their shouts, but stood firm like clouds, which 
the son of Saturn in calm weather, places on the tops of moun- 
tains, at rest, when sleeps the force of the north, and of other 
impetuous winds, which, blowing, disperse the dusky clouds with 525 
their loud blasts. Thus the Danaans firmly awaited the Trojans, 
and feared not. And Atrides ranged through the army, en- 
couraging them much : 

" My friends, be men, and take a stout heart, and respect each 
other 4 in hard battles. More of those who thus respect each 530 
other are saved than are slain ; but where men fly, there neither 
rises glory, nor any aid 5 ." 

He said, and impetuously hurled his spear, and struck a chief 
warrior, a comrade of the brave JEneas, Dei'coon, son of Perga- 535 
sus, whom the Trojans honored equally with the sons of Priam, 
for he was active in fighting among the foremost. Him, then, 
on his shield, king Agamemnon struck with his spear : and it 
resisted not the spear, but the spear passed quite through it, and 
drove into the lower part of the belly, through the belt ; and 540 
falling he made a crash, and his armour rattled upon him. 

Then, again, iEneas slew the two sons of Diodes, Crethon 
and Orsilochus, bravest men of the Danaans 6 . Their father 
dwelt in well-built Phera, rich in possessions, and his race was 
of the river Alpheius, which flows in a broad stream through the 545 
land of the Pylians, — which begat Orsilochus, the king of many 
men ; and Orsilochus again begat the brave Diodes ; and from 
Diodes sprang twin sons, Crethon and Orsilochus, well skilled 
in every kind of combat. These, then, in the vigour of youth, 550 
accompanied the Argives in black ships to Ilium, famed for good 
horses, to take revenge for the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and 
Menelaus, and there they died 7 . As two lions which grew up 

* Be ashamed of each other — i.e. be ashamed of incurring the contempt of your 
comrades — vie with each other — emulate — fight. 

5 i. e. they neither gain glory for themselves, nor furnish help to othera, 

6 i. e. two of the bravest. 

7 And there the end of death covered them. 



90 ILIAD V.-V. 555-592. 

555 under their dam upon the summit of a mountain, in the recesses 
of a deep wood ; and then, carrying off oxen and fat sheep, lay 
waste the enclosures of men, until they are themselves slain 
with sharp spears by the hands of men — such fell these two, 

560 subdued by the hands of JEneas, like lofty pines. 

And the gallant Menelaus pitied the fallen 8 , and armed in 
glittering brass, he advanced among the foremost lighters, bran- 
dishing his spear ; and Mars excited his courage, thinking this, 
that he would be killed by the hands of JEneas. 

565 But him Antilochus, the son of noble Nestor, perceived, and 
he advanced through the foremost combatants, for he feared for 
the shepherd of the people, lest he should suffer aught, and thus 
quite 9 frustrate their toil 1 . The two (Menelaus and JEneas) 
were now holding out their hands and long spears against each 

570 other, eager to fight ; and Antilochus came close up to the 
shepherd of the people. And iEneas did not abide, though an 
active warrior, when he saw two men standing beside each 
other. When, therefore, they had dragged the bodies (of Cre- 
thon and Orsilochus) to the army of the Achaeans, they placed 

575 them, unhappy, in the hands of their comrades; and turning 
round themselves, they fought among the foremost. 

Then they slew Pylaemenes, equal to Mars, the leader of the 
bold, shielded Paphlagonians. Him standing, the son of Atreus, 
the gallant Menelaus, wounded with his spear, striking him in 

580 the collar-bone ; and Antilochus wounded the driver Mydon, his 
brave attendant, the son of Atymnias — and he was turning his 
solid-hoofed horses — hitting him with a stone on the middle of 
the elbow, and the reins, white with ' ivory 2 , dropped from his 
hands in the dust upon the ground ; and then Antilochus, rush- 
ing upon him, struck him with his sword upon the temple, and 

585 panting, Mydon fell from the beautiful 3 car headlong in the 
dust, upon his forehead and shoulders. Long there he stuck, 
for he fell in deep sand, till the horses, plunging, struck him 
flat upon the ground, in the dust. And Antilochus flogged 
them, and drove them to the army of the Achaeans. 

590 These 4 then Hector observed in the ranks, and rushed to- 
wards them, shouting ; and with him followed firm phalanxes of 
Trojans ; and Mars headed them, and awful Bellona — she, taking 



8 scil. Crethon and Orsilochus. 9 jXS^a. 

1 As the army would refuse to go on with the war, if Menelaus, for whose sake 
it was undertaken, should die. 

2 Studded — or ornamented with pieces of ivory. 

3 Of good workmanship. 4 Nineleus and Antilochus. 



ILIAD V.— V. 593—635. • 91 

with her the insolent Tumult of Battle 5 ; and Mars "brandished 
a huge spear in his hands, and raged sometimes in front of Hec- 595 
tor, and sometimes behind him. 

And Diomedes, brave in battle, seeing him, shuddered. And 
as when a man perplexed about his road, crossing a vast plain, 
stops at a rapid river, which Hows towards the sea, and seeing 
it roaring with foam, runs back again j thus Tydides then re- 600 
treated, and addressed his troops : 

" My friends, how much do we admire the noble Hector for 
being a bold spear-man and a daring warrior ! But one of the 
gods is always beside him, who repels destruction ; and that is 
Mars now beside him, in the shape of a mortal man. Fall back, 
therefore, always turned towards the Trojans, nor desire to fight 60/» 
stoutly with the gods." 

Thus then he spake : and the Trojans came very near them. 
There Hector slew two men, skilful in battle, Menesthes and 
Anchialus, being in one car. But the mighty Telamonian Ajax 610 
pitied them fallen, and, advancing very near, stood, and threw 
his shining spear, and struck Amphius, son of Selagus, who, with 
much wealth and many lands, dwelt in Paesus; but fate led him 
to assist Priam and his sons. Him then Telamonian Ajax struck 615 
upon the belt, and the long spear stuck in the lower part of his 
belly, and he made a crash, falling. And the illustrious Ajax 
rushed upon him, to strip him of his armour, but the Trojans 
poured their sharp shining spears upon him, and his shield re- 
ceived many. Then placing his heel upon it, he plucked his 620 
brazen spear from the body, but still was not able to take from 
his shoulders the rest of his handsome armour, for he was pressed 
upon with darts ; and he feared a strong enclosure of the brave 
Trojans 6 who, numerous and stout, pressed upon him, holding 
spears, and who, tall, strong, and gallant as he was, repelled him 625 
from them ; and retreating, he was driven back. 

Thus toiled they in obstinate battle. And forceful fate im- 
pelled Tlepolemus, the son of Hercules, handsome and tall, upon 
the godlike Sarpedon. And when, advancing against each other, 
they were now close, the son and the grandson of cloud-collect- 630 
ing Jove, Tlepolemus first addressed the other in these words : 

" Sarpedon, counsellor of Lycians, what necessity is there for 
thee, being a man unskilled in war, to be trembling here ? 
Falsely men declare 7 thee to be a son of a3gis-bearing Jove ; "35 

s A personification — Beilona brings Battle with her. ccva»(5sa — as having no 
respect for any thing. 

6 uiupi(3a<fiv for aft$i/2aiVAVTas— i. e . the Trojans, who gathered round the 
body of Amphius. 1 Lying they, &c 



92 ILIAD V.— V. 636—677. 

since thou art much inferior to those men, who, among former 
generations 8 , sprung from Jove. And what an indomitable and 
640 lion-hearted man do they say was my father, the mighty 9 Her- 
cules ! who once coming here, on account of the horses of Lao- 
medon, with only six ships, and very few 1 men, laid waste the 
city of Troy, and desolated its streets. For thy spirit is cow- 
ardly, and thy people perish 2 ; nor can I think that thou, coming 
645 from Lycia, will be of service to the Trojans, not even if thou 
wert ever so brave, but, rather, subdued by my spear, wilt 
descend to the gates of Hades." 

And to him, in reply, Sarpedon, leader of Lycians, answered : 
" Tlepolemus, truly that hero laid waste sacred Ilium, through 
650 the folly of the noble hero Laomedon — he who reviled him that 
had done him service, with opprobrious language, and gave him 
not the horses, for the sake of which he had come from afar. 
But I also think that here death and dark fate will overtake 
thee from me, and that, subdued by my spear, thou wilt give 
glory to me, and thy soul to Pluto, famous for his horses." 
655 Thus spake Sarpedon ; and Tlepolemus raised his ashen spear, 
and their long javelins flew from their hands at the same mo- 
ment. Sarpedon struck the middle of his enemy 9 s neck, and 
the cruel point went quite through, and dark night 3 covered his 
660 eyes. And Tlepolemus too had struck Sarpedxm's left thigh with 
his long spear, and the impetuous point pierced through, driven 
upon the bone ; but his father still averted death. 

Then did his noble comrades carry the godlike Sarpedon from 
the battle ; but the long spear, dragged after him, pained him ; 
665 for no one of them, busy in getting him into his car 4 , observed 
it, or thought to draw the ashen spear from his thigh — such 
anxiety 5 had they who were occupied with him. On the other 
side, the well-armed Achseans bore Tlepolemus from the battle ; 
670 and the noble Ulysses, possessing a daring spirit, perceived it, 
and his heart throbbed. And he debated within his mind and 
soul whether he should pursue farther the son of the loud-sound- 
ing Jove, or take away life from others 6 of the Lycians. Not, 
675 however, was it destined to the brave Ulysses to slay the gallant 
son of Jove with his sharp spear ; therefore Minerva turned his 
rage upon the mass of Lycians. There he slew Cceranus and 

8 Men. 

9 The Herculean might. * Fewer— r. e. than the people of Troy. 

2 ». e. through thy cowardice. 

3 Night of Erebus. * Busy that he might get into his car. 

5 Labour, 

6 twv ffXsovwv — the body of Lycians — equivalent to ^Xsrj^uv three lines below- 



ILIAD V.— V. 678—717. 93 

Ajastor, and Chromius ; and Alcander, and Halius, and Noemon, 
and Prytanis ; and more of the Lycians would noble Ulysses 680 
have slain, had not the mighty and stirring 7 Hector quickly ob- 
served him. For he went through the foremost combatants, 
armed in shining brass, bringing terror upon the Danaans ; and 
Sarpedon, son of Jove, was glad at his approach, and uttered 
this piteous speech : 

" Son of Priam, suffer me not to lie a prey to the Danaans, but 685 
defend me : and then let life quit me in your city : or otherwise 
I shall return home to my dear native land no more ; to cheer 
my beloved wife and infant son." 

Thus he spake; and the stirring 7 Hector answered him not, 
but flew past, glowing with ardour, that he might speedily re- 690 
pulse the Argives, and take away the life of many. Then his 
noble companions laid the godlike Sarpedon beneath the beau- 
tiful beech-tree of the aegis-bearing Jove ; and the gallant Pela- 
gon, who was his loved comrade, forced out the ashen spear from 695 
his thigh. And his soul left him, and a mist spread over his 
eyes ; but he breathed again, for the breeze of the north-wind 
blowing around him, refreshed his spirit that scarcely breathed. 

And the Argives neither fled in confusion to the black ships 
before Mars and Hector, armed in brass, nor bore up against 700 
them in battle ; but always they kept falling back, when they 
understood 8 that Mars was with the Trojans. 

Then whom first, and whom last, did Hector, son of Priam, 
and brazen Mars slay? The godlike Teuthras, and next the 705 
equestrian 9 Orestes, and the iEtolian Trechus, a spear-man 9 , 
and (Enomaus, and Helenus, the son of (Enops, and Oresbius, 
with a variegated belt — he who dwelt at Hyla, close upon the 
lake Cephissus, very much intent upon wealth ; and beside him 
dwelt other Boeotians, who held very rich land. 710 

And when the white-armed goddess Juno observed these her 
Argives perishing in the hard battle, she immediately addressed 
to Minerva winged words : 

" Alas, child of the aegis-bearing Jove, invincible, surely a vain 
promise 1 plighted we to Menelaus — to return home after de- 715 
stroying well-built Ilium, if we suffer destructive Mars thus to 
rage. Come, then, let thou and I likewise think of active 
battle." 

? xo£uScooXo;. 

8 i. e. from Diomedes. 603. 

9 it'hrfei'K'Kos — meaning here, probably, Orestes was in his car, and Trechus, 
copflU/yjTiis, on foot. 

1 We stood under a vain word. 



94 ILIAD V.—V. 71$— 75?. 

Thus she spake, nor did the blue-eyed Minerva refuse. Then 

720 Juno, venerable goddess, daughter of mighty Saturn, proceeding, 
harnessed her golden-reined horses. And Hebe quickly put the 
curved wheelSj brazen and of eight spokes, to the car, at each 
end of the iron-axletree ; of these, however, the imperishable 

725 felloes were of gold, and on the outside were brazen tires attached, 
wonderful to be seen ; the circular naves on both sides were oi 
silver; and the body 2 was suspended 3 with gold and silver 
straps, and the two awvysg were circular ; and the pole of it was 

730 of silver ; and at the extremity of it (the pole), she fastened the 
handsome golden yoke, and put in it the beautiful golden collars. 
And eager for the battle and the shout, Juno led under the yoke 
her swift-footed horses. 

And Minerva, the daughter of s6gis bearing Jove, flung oif, 
upon the floor of her father, the beautiful embroidered veil, — 

735 that 4 , which she had herself made and worked with her own 
hands ; and, putting on her tunic, in the armour of cloud collect^ 
ing Jove she arrayed herself for tearful battle. On her shouk 
ders she threw the terrible, fringed iEgis, which fear begirt all 

740 round. On and in it were Contention, and Force, and chilling 
Pursuit : and the Gorgon head of the fearful monster was upon 
it, terrible and horrible, a portent of asgis-bearing Jove. And 
upon her head she placed her golden, double-coned, four studded 

7AB helmet, fit for the infantry of a hundred cities 5 . And she stept 6 
into the flaming car, and took her spear, heavy, huge, and strong, 
with which she overthrows the ranks of heroes, With whom she 
is angry—descended from a potent father. And Juno swiftly 
urged on the horses with the lash : and grated 7 of their own ac- 

750 cord the gates of heaven, which the Hours kept, to whom are 
entrusted the vast heaven and Olympus, both to remove the 
thick cloud, and to replace it. Then, through them, they drove 
the horses on, obedient to the lash 8 ; and they found the son of 
Saturn sitting, apart from the other gods, upon the highest sum- 

755 mit of the many-topped Olympus. There the white-armed 
goddess Juno, stopping her horses, interrogated the son of 
Saturn, the supreme Jove, and addressed him : 

2 &(pgo£ is strictly the b^dy of the car, or standing space — for there was no seat 
- — and the cuvroysg are the sides, or panels, in this case two circular pieces, meet- 
ing probably in front, but open behind for mounting. 

3 Literally — stretched — fastened in some way to the axle. 

4 6v pa. 5 Either extravagant, or wholly unintelligible. 
6 Mounted with feet* 

i i. e. which creaked as they spontaneously opened. 
s Literally — the goad. 



ILIAD V.— V. 758—799. 95 

" Father Jove, art thou not offended with Mars, for these 
atrocious deeds ? How many and what glorious people of the 
Achreans has he destroyed recklessly, and with no reason; and 760 
to me a grief. Whilst Venus and the silver-bowed Apollo, at 
their ease, are delighted, setting on this madman, who knows no 
laws. Wilt thou, then, father Jove, be angry, if, severely 
scourging Mars, I drive him from the battle ?" 

And the cloud-collecting Jove, answering her, said : " Well, 
then, dispatch after him Minerva, the despoiler, who is most ac- 765 
customed to put him to torturing pains 9 ." 

Thus he spake, nor did the white-armed goddess Juno refuse, 
but lashed on her steeds ; and they, not unwilling, flew midway 
between earth and the starry heaven. And as far as a man can 
see through the air with his eyes, sitting upon a rock, and look- 770 
ing over the dark sea, so far did the neighing horses spring at a 
bound. But when now they came to Troy and the flowing 
rivers, where SimoTs and Scamander unite their streams, there 
the white-armed goddess Juno stopped her horses, loosening 775 
them from the car, and cast round them a thick cloud. And 
the Simois threw up ambrosia for them to feed on. 

And they, the goddesses, went with steps like frightened 
doves 1 , eager to assist the Argive warriors. And when at last 780 
they came where the most and bravest stood, collected round 
Diomedes, tamer of horses, like flesh-devouring lions, or wild 
boars, whose strength is not feeble — there the white-armed 
goddess Juno, standing, called aloud, in the likeness of the stout- 
hearted brazen-voiced Stentor, who shouted as loud as fifty 785 
other men could do> 

u Shame, Argives, foul disgraces, only gallant in form, As 
long as the noble Achilles took part 2 in the war, never did the 
Trojans advance beyond the Dardan gates, for they feared his 
powerful spear ; but now they fight, far from their city, close 790 
at the hollow ships." 

Thus having spoken, she roused the strength and courage of 
each. And the blue-eyed goddess Minerva flew after Tydides, 
and found that king beside his horses and car, cooling the wound, 
which Pandarus with an arrow had inflicted upon him ; for the 795 
sweat under the broad belt of his good round shield distressed 
him — with it he was distressed, and his hand was weary ; and 
holding up the belt, he was wiping away the black blood. And 
the goddess touched the yoke of his horses 3 , and said : 

9 i. e. to punish him— alluding to some remoter mythics. 

> Indicative of haste and anxiety. 

2 Was present. 3 The equestrian yoke. 



96 ILIAD V.— V. 800—843. 

300 " Surely Tydeus begat a son little resembling himself; Ty- 
deus indeed was small in body, but he was a warrior. For even 
when I forbade 4 him to fight, or rush on like a madman, and 
when he went, apart from the Achseans, as an ambassador to 

805 Thebes, in among many Cadmeans, I ordered him to feast quiet 
in the halls — still he who had his own spirit as bold as before, 
challenged the chiefs of the Cadmeans, and overcame them in 
every contest easily — so great an assistant was I to him. And by 

810 thee too I stand, and guard thee, and exhort thee to fight boldly 
against the Trojans ; but either weariness, produced by much 
labour, has fallen upon thy limbs, or surely heartless fear re- 
strains thee. Thou art, henceforth, no son of Tydeus, the 
brave son of GEneus." 

815 And the brave Diomedes, answering her, said : "I know thee 
daughter of the segis-bearing Jove, therefore will I freely speak 
to thee, nor, conceal aught. Neither does heartless fear restrain 
me, nor any slothfulness ; but I am still mindful of the injunc- 

820 tions, which thou gavest me. Thou didst not permit 5 me to 
fight against the other blessed gods ; but if Yenus, daughter of 
Jove, should come into the battle, her thou badest me wound 
with my sharp spear. For this reason I now keep aloof myself, 
and have ordered all the rest of the Argives to collect here, for 

825 I know that Mars controls the battle." 

And then the blue-eyed goddess Minerva replied : " Diomedes. 
son of Tydeus, dear to my soul, fear thou neither that Mars, nor 
any other of the immortals, so great an auxiliary will I be to 

830 thee. Come then, drive thy solid-hoofed horses against Mars 
first. Engage 6 him hand to hand, nor respect that fierce raging 
Mars, mischievous 7 and capricious miscreant, who yesterday 
conversing, promised to myself and Juno, that he would fight 
against the Trojans, and assist the Argives, and now he is among 

835 the Trojans and forgets the Argives 3 " 

Thus saying, she pulled Sthelenus from the car 9 towards the 
ground, dragging him backwards by the hand : and he instantly 
sprang out. And into the car, beside the noble Diomedes, 
mounted the impassioned goddess ; and the beechen axle groaned 

840 loud beneath the weight, for it carried a terrible goddess, and a 
very brave man. And Pallas Minerva seized the whip and 
the reins, and forthwith urged the solid-hoofed horses against 
Mars first. He indeed 1 had just slain the mighty Periphas, by 
far the bravest of the JEtolians, the illustrious son of Ochesius 

4 When I did not suffer, &c. 5 i. e. thou forbadest me. 

6 Strike. 7 A made evil — as if made for mischief and nothing else- 

8 Them. 9 Horses. 



ILIAD V.— Y. 845—884. 97 

— him the blood-stained Mars slew. And Minerva put on the 845 
helmet of Pluto, that impetuous Mars might not see her. 

And when Mars destroyer of men, beheld the noble Diomedes, 
then he let the mighty Periphas lie there, where first, killing 
him, he took away his life, and advanced straight against Dio- 
medes, tamer of horses. And when coming against each other, 
they were now near, Mars first threw 1 at him his brazen spear, 850 
over the yoke and reins of the horses 2 , eager to deprive him of 
life ; but the blue-eyed goddess Minerva, catching it in her 
hand, thrust it under the car, so that it was thrown in vain 3 . 
Next brave Diomedes hurled his brazen spear : and Pallas 855 
Minerva forced it into the lower part of the belly, where he was 
girt with his inner belt 4 ; striking him then in this place, he 
wounded him, and tore his fair skin ; and drew out the spear 
again ; and the brazen Mars roared as loud as nine or ten thou- 860 
sand men shout in war, while engaged in the conflict of battle. 
And fear in consequence seized upon the trembling Achseans 
and Trojans, so loud shouted Mars, insatiable of war. 

And as a dark cloud appears in the sky 5 , when a strong wind 
rises, through the heat 6 , so appeared brazen Mars to Diomedes, 865 
son of Tydeus, ascending with the clouds, to the wide heaven. 
And he went immediately to the seat of the gods, the lofty 
Olympus, and sat down beside Jove, the son of Saturn, in great 
pain, and showed the immortal blood flowing from his wound, 870 
and lamenting uttered winged words : 

" Father Jove, art thou not indignant, observing these violent 
deeds? Ever are we gods enduring most horrible things, 
through the plans of each other, and to gratify men. Through 
thee do we all fight 7 , for thou hast begotten a mad and perni- 875 
cious daughter, who is ever planning mischief 8 . All the rest of 
the gods, as many as are in Olympus, are obedient to thee, and 
each of us are subject to thee; but her thou never restrainest by- 
word or deed, but encouragest her, because thou didst thyself 880 
beget this destructive daughter. She has now incited the son 
of Tydeus, the insolent Diomedes, to vent his fury upon the 
immortal gods. First he wounded Venus upon the hand, at the 
wrist: and then, like a god, rushed upon me myself; but my 

1 Stretched forward with the spear. 2 i. e. those of Diomedes. 

3 To have been driven in vain. 
4{AiT£7]v. Compare A. 137. 

5 ex vsfpcwv — i, e . from the region of clouds — the atmosphere. 

6 xau/j.a<ro£— depends on sf • 

" i. e. you are the cause of our fighting. 
8 To whom ever nefarious deeds are a care. 

8 



98 ILIAD V.— Y. 885—999. 

885 swift feet carried me off, otherwise I should have long endured 
tortures there, among horrible carcases, or have been crushed 9 
alive with the blows of his spear." 

But the cloud-collecting Jove looking sternly at him, replied : 
" Do not sit and whimper by me, turncoat ; thou art the most 

890 hateful to me of the gods who possess Olympus, for contention 
is ever dear to thee, and wars and battles. There is in thee the 
intolerable unyielding fierceness of thy mother Juno, whom I 
can with difficulty govern by words ; and in this case I suspect, 

S95 that thou sufferest these things from her counsels. However, I 
will not allow thee to suffer pain longer 1 , because thou art 
sprung 2 from me, and thy mother bore thee to me ; but if, thus 
destructive, thou wert sprung from any other of the gods, even 
long ago thou shouldst have been lower than the sons of Uranus 3 ." 
Thus he spake, and ordered Paeon to heal him ; and Paeon 

900 sprinkling anodyne medicines 4 upon him, cured him, for he was 
not liable at all to cteath 5 . And, as when rennet working 7 , 
fixes white milk, liquid as it is, whilst it is rapidly stirred by the 
mixer; so speedily did he heal the fierce Mars. And Hebe 

905 washed him, and put on his beautiful robes ; and he sat beside 
Jove, the son of Saturn, exulting in glory. 

And Argive Juno, and the protecting Minerva, returned again 
to the mansion of the mighty Jove, having withdrawn 8 Mars, 
the destroyer of men, from the slaughter of heroes. 

9 Without strength — disabled. 

1 But I will not bear thee suffering pains yet long. 

2 A production — a son of me. 3 That is, the Titans. ©. 12. 
* A. 218. 5 For he was not made mortal. 

6 Supposed to be the juice of the fig. 7 As if okoS was personified. 

8 Having caused to cease. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER. 



BOOK VI. 



ARGUMENT. 

The battle is continued. The Trojans being closely pursued, Hector, by the 
advice of Helenus, enters Troy, and recommends it to Hecuba, to go in solemn 
procession to the temple of Minerva ; she with the matrons, goes accordingly ^ 
Hector takes the opportunity to find out Paris, and exhorts him to return to the 
field of battle. An interview succeeds between Hector and Andromache; and 
Paris, having armed himself, in the mean time, comes up with Hector, at the 
close of it, when they sally from the gate together. 

The dire battle of the Trojans and Achaeans was now deserted 
hy the gods ; and much in all directions on the plain did the 
battle rage, as at each other they hurled their brazen spears, 
between the floods of Simoi's and Xanthus. 

And Telainonian Ajax, the bulwark of the Achaeans, first 5 
broke a phalanx of Trojans, and brought relief to his comrades, 
wounding a man, who was the bravest among the Thracians, 
Acamas the son of Eusorus, both handsome and tall. Him first 
he smote upon the cone of the helmet, crested with horse-hair, 
and the brazen spear sunk in his forehead, and penetrated more- 10 
over into the bone ; and darkness covered his eyes. 

And, next, brave Diomedes slew Axylus, son of Teuthras, 
who dwelt in well-built Arisba, rich in possessions, and hospita- 
ble to men ; for, living in a house by the road-side, he kindly 15 
entertained all. But none of them then, coming to his aid, 
averted from him miserable destruction ; and Diomedes deprived 
of life, both him and his attendant Calesius, — he who was then 
the driver of his horses ; and both fell to the ground. 

And Euryalus 1 slew Dresus and Opheltius; and then went 20 

■ B. 565, 6. 



100 ILIAD VI.— V. 22—61. 

after iEsepus and Pedasus, whom once Abarbarea, the Naiad- 
nymph, bore to good Bucolion. And Bucolion was a son of the 
illustrious Laomedon, his eldest by birth, and his mother gave 

25 birth to him clandestinely. For while he had the care of the 
flocks, he had intercourse with her (the Nymph) ; and she, be- 
coming pregnant, bore him twin sons. And the son of Mecisteus 
slew them 2 , and stripped the armour from their shoulders. And, 

30 next, stout Polypoetes 3 killed Astyalus : and Ulysses slew Pidy- 
tes, the Percosian 4 . with his brazen spear; and Teucer, the 
noble Aretao ; and Antilochus, son of Nestor, slew Ablerus with 
his shining spear ; and the king of men, Agamemnon, Elatus, 
who dwelt in lofty Pedasus, by the banks of the fair-flowing 

35 Satnioeis. And the hero Leitus 5 arrested Phylacus, while fly- 
ing ; and Eurypylus 6 slew Melanthius. 

And then brave Menelaus took Adrastus alive ; for his horses, 
flying in terror along the plain, getting entangled by a myrtle 
bough, and breaking the curved car, at the extremity of the pole, 

40 proceeded themselves towards the city, where the rest, fear- 
smitten, were flying. And he was himself thrown from his car. 
near the wheel, prone upon his face in the dust : and Menelaus, 
son of Atreus, stood by him, with his long spear ; and then 

45 Adrastus, embracing his knees, entreated : 

" Take me alive, son of Atreus, and accept a worthy ransom ; 
for at my wealthy father's lie many precious stores, brass, and 

50 gold, and manufactured 7 iron — from them will my father gratify 
thee with an infinite ransom, if he shall learn that I am alive at 
the Achseans' ships." 

Thus he spake, and persuaded him 8 ; and Menelaus was forth- 
with going 9 to give him to his attendant, to take him down to 
the Acha?ans' ships, but Agamemnon came up to him, running, 
and upbraiding, said 1 : 

55 « O foolish Menelaus, why dost thou thus pity men ? Truly 
thou wert at home well treated by these Trojans 2 , Let none of 
them escape entire destruction, or our hands; not the child, 
whom the mother bears in her womb — let not even it escape ; 

60 but let altogether of Ilium perish unburied and unseen 3 ." 

Thus saying, the hero turned the mind of his brother, Mene- 

* Euryalus loosened their strength and fair limbs. 3 B. 740. 
«OfPercote. B. 835. 5 B. 494. 6 b. 736. 

7 Much-wrought — articles or implements of iron. 

8 (xuSov — his mind — his feelings in his bosom. 

» 8r\ <ra^' SfAsXX' — already, on the point of going, &c. ! Said a word. 

2 The best things were done to thee by, &c. 

* Disappear — so that there might be no relics or remembrance of thenu 



ILIAD VI.— V. 63—102. 101 

laus, advising what was right 4 ; and he thrust the hero Adrastus 
from him with his hand ; and king Agamemnon struck him in 
the flank, and he fell flat, and Atrides, placing his heel upon his 65 
breast, plucked out the ashen spear. 

Then Nestor exhorted the Argives, shouting loud : 

" Friends, Danaan heroes, servants of Mars, let no one falling 
upon the spoils, lag behind, to go 5 to the ships, carrying most. 
But let us slaughter the men, and then of them 6 also, at your 70 
leisure, ye can strip the dead bodies dead on the plain." 

Thus speaking, he roused the might and courage of each. 
Then again would the Trojans, defeated by their own cowardice, 
have been driven 7 into Ilium by the warlike Achseans, had not 
Helenus, the son of Priam, far the best of augurs, addressed 
Hector and Mneas, standing beside them : 75 

" iEneas and Hector — since upon you chiefly rests the battle 
of the Trojans and Lycians, because ye are the best in every 
effort, both in fighting and in planning — stand here, and in front 80 
of the gates stop the people, going among them in every direc- 
tion, before they rush in again, flying to the arms of their wives 8 , 
and become a mockery to the enemy. And when ye have stir- 
red up all the phalanxes 9 , we remaining here, will fight with 
the Danaans, hard pressed although we be 1 , for necessity enfor- 85 
ces it ; but do thou, Hector, repair to the city, and then speak 
to thy mother and mine. Taking 2 with her the matrons to the 
temple of the blue-eyed Minerva, in the Acropolis, having 
opened with a key the gates of the sacred mansion — the veil 
which appears to be the most elegant and the largest in her 90 
halls, and which is by far the most prized by her, let her lay 
upon the knees 3 of the fair-haired goddess, — and vow to sacrifice 
to Minerva in the temple twelve oxen, of a year old, never 
yoked, if she will have pity upon the city, the wives, and the 95 
children 4 of the Trojans— if she will but avert from sacred Ilium 
the son of Tydeus, the fierce warrior, the direful master of rout, 
whom I affirm to be the mightiest of the Achrcans. Never thus 
did we fear Achilles, leader of men, whom they declare to have 
sprung from a goddess ; for greatly this man rages, nor can any 100 
one equal his strength." 

Thus he spake, and Hector disobeyed not his brother ; but 

4 Advising right things. 5 i, e. with a view to get all the spoil he can. 

6 *<*■ scil. Sva^a. ^ Would have gone in again— i. e. driven by force. 

8 i. e. for protection — like cowards. 9 i. e. to fight again. 

> Although very had pressed. 2 Taking — lay upon the knees, &c. 

3 Therefore the figure of the goddess was in a sitting position. 
* vyj-n-ia TSxva. 



102 ILIAD VI.- V. 103—145. 

immediately leaped from his car with his arms to the ground, 
and brandishing sharp spears, went through the army in ever} r 

105 direction, urging them to fight, and roused the fierce battle. 
And they rallied 5 , and stood up against the Achseans ; and the 
Argives fell back, and desisted from slaughter 6 : for they said that 
some one of the immortals had descended from the starry heaven 

110 to succour the Trojans — they so rallied. Then Hector encour- 
aged the Trojans, shouting loud : 

" Ye spirited Trojans, and allies, summoned from afar, be men, 
my friends, and be mindful of your vigorous courage, whilst 1 
repair to Ilium, and charge the aged counsellors, and our wives, 

1.15 to supplicate the divinities, and to vow hecatombs." 

Thus having spoken, the active Hector departed ; and struck 
upon his heels and neck the black hide, the rim which went last 
round his bossy shield 7 . 

And Glaucus, son of Hippolochus, and the son of Tydeus, met 

120 between both armies, eager to fight j and when, advancing 
against each other, they were now near, brave Diomedes first 
addressed him : 

" And who art thou, my bravest of mortal men ? For I have 
never seen thee in glorious battle before ; and now hast gone 

125 far beyond all in thy confidence, when thou awaitest my long 
spear. For sons of the unhappy 8 are they who encounter my 
might. But if, one of the immortals, thou hast come from hea- 
ven, I will not fight with the heavenly Gods ; for neither did 

130 the son of Dryas, the brave Lycurgus, live long 9 — he 1 who con- 
tended with the heavenly Gods. He once chased down the 
divine Nyssei'an hill the nurses of maddening Bacchus ; and they 
all together threw their Thyrsi upon the ground, being struck 

135 with an ox-goad, by Lycurgus, slayer of men. And Bacchus, 
alarmed, rushed into the wave of the sea, and Thetis received 
him, trembling, in her boson ; for violent terror seized him on 
account of the threatening of the man. With him then the 
Gods, who live without care, were enraged, and the son of 

140 Saturn made him blind; i|or did he long survive, for he was 
hated by all the immortal gods. Nor would I wish to fight with 
the blessed gods. But if thou art one of mortals, who eat the 
fruit of the ground, come near, that thou mayst the sooner reach 
final destruction 2 . 7 ' 

And him, in return, the illustrious son of Hippolochus ad- 

1 45 dressed : " Great Tydides, why inquirest thou of my birth ? As 

5 They were turned. 6 Blood. 7 i. e. he threw it behind his back. 

8 Sons of unhappy — i. e. unhappy are they who, &c. 

9 Was not long. * og |>a. 2 The limits — the boundary of destruction- 



ILIAD VI.— V. 146—188. 103 

is the race of leaves, such is that of men ; some leaves 3 the wind 
scatters upon the ground, and others the budding wood produces, 
for they come again in the season of spring. So is the race of 
men, one springs up, and another dies 4 . But if thou desirest to 
learn these matters — hear, that thou mayst well know our family 150 
— though many men are acquainted with it 5 . In the bay of 
equestrian Argos is the town ot Ephyre, where lived Sisyphus, 
who was the cunningest of men, Sisyphus, the son of iEolus. 
Now he begat a son, Glaucus : and Glaucus begat the good Bel- 
lerophon ; and on him did the gods bestow beauty and attractive 155 
vigour. But Proetus plotted his destruction — he who exiled 
him from the city ; for he (PrcBtus) was the most powerful of 
the Argives, for Jove had subjected them under his sceptre. 
And with him {Bellerophon) the wife of Proetus, the noble Anteia, 
was maddening to have clandestine intercourse, but she could 160 
not persuade the just 6 and prudent Bellerophon. And she ad- 
dressed king Proetus with a falsehood : ' Die, O Proetus, or kill 
Bellerophon, who wished to lie with me against my will.' Thus 
she spake, and indignation seized the king at what he Jieard. 165 
He was unwilling indeed to kill him, for he had a religious 
dread of that in his mind : but he sent him to Lycia, and gave 
him fatal letters 7 , writing upon a folded tablet many deadly 
words, and bade him show them to his father-in-law 8 — in order 170 
that he might perish. And he departed for Lycia, under the 
kind guidance of the Gods : and when he came to Lycia and the 
flowing Xanthus, the king of broad Lycia hospitably entertained 
him — nine days he feasted him, and sacrificed nine oxen. And 
when at last the tenth rosy-lingered morning appeared, then he 175 
interrogated him, and requested to see the letters, which he 
brought from his son-in-law Proetus. And after he had received 
the wicked letter of his son-in-law, first he ordered him (Bellero- 
plion) to kill the tremendous Chimera, — for she was of divine 180 
origin, not of men — in front a lion, and behind a dragon, and in 
the middle a goat — breathing forth the terrible force of blazing 
fire. And her he slew, trusting to the signs of the gods. N-ext 
he fought against the glorious Solymi ; and he said that that 185 
was the hardest battle of heroes he had entered into. The third 
time, he slew the masculine Amazons. Then moreover he 
{Jobates) planned another dark plot against him on his return 

3 i. e. one set of leaves — the foliage of one year. 4 Ceases. 

5 Or — if thou desirest to learn, or be informed of these things also, that thou 
mayst know our family well, I will tell thee — and many know it. 

6 Thinking good things. 7 Signs. 
8 1, e. the father-in-law of Proetus — Jobates. 



104 ILIAD VI. — V. 190—231. 

190 — selecting the bravest men from broad Lycia, he placed them 
in ambuscade ; but they returned not home again, for the illus- 
trious Bellerophon slew them all. And when at last he per- 
ceived him to be the mighty offspring of a god, he detained him 

195 there, and gave him his own daughter, and presented him with 
the half of all his royal honour 9 ; and moreover the Lycians cut 
out for him an estate 1 excelling the rest, suited 2 for the produce 
of vines, and for ploughing, that he might cultivate it. And she 
bore the brave Bellerophon three children, Isandrus, and Hip- 
polochus, and Laodameia — and with Laodameia wise Jupiter 

200 lay, and she bore him the godlike, brazen-mailed Sarpedon. 
And, when at last even he was hated by all the gods, then he 
roamed through the Alei'an plain, alone, eating 3 his own soul, and 
avoiding the track of men. And Mars, insatiable of war, slew 
his son Isandrus, when righting against the noble Solymi ; and 

205 the golden-reined Diana, enraged, slew his daughter {Laoda- 
meia) ; but Hippolochus begat me, and from him do I say that 
I am sprung. And he sent me to Troy, and charged me much 
to be ever brave, and to be superior to others, nor to disgrace the 
family*of my fathers, who were by far the bravest both in Ephyre 

210 and in broad Lycia. Of this family and blood do I boast to be. /V 
Thus he spake, and brave Diomedes was delighted. His 
spear he stuck in the bounteous earth, and addressed the shep- 
herd of the people in words of peace 4 . 

215 "Then thou art indeed my old paternal friend 5 , for noble 
(Eneus once feasted in his halls illustrious Bellerophon, and re- 
tained him for twenty days. And they presented each other 
with handsome friendship-gifts ; (Eneus gave a bright red belt, 

220 and Bellerophon a golden double cup, and it, when I came away, 
I left in my house. But Tydeus I do not remember ; for he left 
me yet a little one, when he lost the army of the Achrcans at 
Thebes. Now therefore I am an host and friend to thee in the 

225 midst of Argos, and thou to me in Lycia, when I go to the nation 
of the Lycians ; and let us also avoid each other with our spears 
in the field. There are many Trojans and noble allies for me to 
slay, whomsoever God m%y present, or I overtake with my feet ; 
and there are, again, many Achaeans for thee to slaughter, whom 

230 soever thou art able. And we will exchange armour with each 
other, that these also may know that we boast to be paternal 
friends 6 ." 

9 i. e. divided the kingdom with him. i <rSfASvo£. 

2 Beautiful, or good. 3 i. e. melanch oly mad. 

< fxeiXi^jois — words of honey — kind and friendly. 

5 i, e. hereditary friend. 6 u e. that our fathers were friends. 



ILIAD VI— V. 232—271. 105 

Thus saying, and leaping from their cars, they seized each 
other's hands, and gave the pledge of faith. And then Jove, the 
son of Saturn, took away from Glaucus his senses 7 , who ex- 
changed his armour with Diomedes, son of Tydeus, golden for 235 
brazen, what was worth one hundred oxen, for what was worth 
nine oxen. 

And when Hector came to the Scasan gates, and the beech 
tree, the wives and daughters of the Trojans ran round him, 
inquiring for children, and brothers, and friends and husbands ; 240 
and he then charged them to supplicate the gods all in proces- 
sion 8 ; for evils hung over many. 

But when at length he came to the splendid mansion of 
Priam, built with marble porticos — and in it were fifty chambers 
of polished stone, built close to one another, where slept the 245 
sons of Priam beside their wedded wives. And within the court, 
on the other side, opposite, were his daughters 7 twelve ceiled 
chambers of polished stone, built close to each other, where the 
sons-in-law of Priam slept beside their wedded wives — there his 250 
fond mother while going 9 towards Laodice, the fairest of her 
daughters 1 , met him ; and she clung to his hand, and addressed 
him, and said : 

" My son, why hast thou come, leaving the fierce battle ? Too 
surely now the accursed sons of the Achseans press you hard, 255 
fighting round the city ; and thy soul has prompted thee to 
come 2 here, and lift up thy hands to Jove from the Acropolis. 
But stay, whilst I fetch thee sweet wine, that thou mayst pour 
out a libation to father Jove and the other immortals first, and 260 
then refresh thyself, if thou wilt drink — for wine greatly in- 
creases the strength of a man weary, as thou art now weary with 
fighting for thy friends." 

And then the mighty helmed Hector replied : " Bring not 
sweet wine to me, my venerable mother, lest thou unnerve me, 
and I lose 3 my strength and resolution. And I fear, with un- 265 
washed hands, to pour out the dark wine to Jove ; nor is it fit 
for me to offer vows to the cloud-collecting son of Saturn, thus 
stained with blood and gore. But go thou to the temple of 
Minerva, the despoiler 4 , with offerings 5 , assembling the matrons; 270 
and the veil, which is most elegant, and the largest in thy house, 

7 (ppsvag. s Igewjg. 9 stfawoutfa scil. ^aurrjv. 

1 The best of her daughters as to appearance — in person. 

2 Coming here to lift, <fec. 

3 Forget — i. e. lose my vigour and resolution to exert. Just as fAvrjCafT^ai 
Soup»<5o$ aXxTjs means to exert it. * aysXsjrjg. See A. 128. 

5 Incense, or libations, or both. 



106 ILIAD VI— V. 272—313. 

and far the most precious to thyself, place upon the knees of the 
fair-haired goddess, and make a vow to sacrifice in her temple 

2? '5 twelve oxen, of a year old, and never put to the yoke, if she will 
take pity upon the city, the wives and children of the Trojans 
— if she will but repel from sacred Ilium the son of Tydeus, the 
fierce warrior, the terrible router of his foes. Go thou, then, to 

28fJ the Temple of Minerva, the despoiler ; and I will go in quest of 
Paris, that I may call him, if he will choose to listen to my ad- 
vice 6 . Oh that the earth would there gape for him ; for the 
Olympian has bred him up a great mischief to the Trojans, and 
to noble Priam, and his sons. Could I but behold him descend- 

285 ing to Hades, I might say my heart would forget its joyless 
misery. 

Thus he spake ; and she, departing to her house, gave orders 
to her attendants ; and they then assembled the matrons in the 
city. But she herself descended to the fragrant chamber, where 
were her robes of various embroidery, the works of the Sidonian 

290 women, whom the godlike Alexander himself brought from 
Sidon, sailing upon the- wide sea, in that voyage in which he 
brought home Helen, descended from an illustrious father. One 
of these, which was the most beautiful for its decorations, and 
the largest, Hecuba taking up, carried as a gift to Minerva ; and 

295 it shone like a star, and lay at the bottom of the rest. And she 
set out 7 , and many matrons followed. 

But when they came to the temple of Minerva, in the Acro- 
polis, the fair-cheeked Theano, daughter of Cisseus, and spouse 
of Antenor, tamer of horses, opened the gates for them ; for the 

300 Trojans had made her priestess of Minerva. And they all, with 
a cry, raised their hands to Minerva ; and then the beautiful 
Theano, taking the robe, placed it upon the knees of the fair- 
haired Minerva, and praying, supplicated the daughter of the 
mighty Jove : 

305 " Holy Minerva, guardian of the city, noblest of goddesses, 
break now the spear of Diomedes. and grant 8 that himself may 
fall headlong before the Scasan gates ; that we may forthwith 
sacrifice to thee, in thy temple, twelve oxen, of a year old, and 

310 never put to the yoke, if thou wilt take pity upon the city, the 
wives and the children of the Trojans 9 ." 

Thus she spake, praying ; but Pallas Minerva consented not. 
Thus then they prayed to the daughter of the mighty Jove ; and 

6 Hear me speaking — i. e. exhorting, or advising him to join the battle. 

7 She went to go. s And give himself to fall. 

9 In order that we at once now may sacrifice, &c. — if thou shouldest take 
pity, &c. 



ILIAD YI— V. 314—345. 107 

Hector proceeded to the handsome mansion of Alexander, which 
he had himself built with men, who were at that time the best 31^ 
builders in fruitful Troy, who made for him a chamber 1 , a hall 2 , 
and a court 3 , near those of Priam and Hector, in the highest part 
of the city. There Hector, dear to Jove, entered ; and in his 
hand he held a spear of eleven cubits' length. The brazen 
point of the spear shone before, and a golden ring went round 32< '"; 
it 4 . And he found him in the chamber, busy with his very 
beautiful armour, his shield, and corselet, and setting to rights 
his bent bow ; and Argive Helen sat among her female slaves, 
and was directing the famed works of her attendants. And 
Hector, on seeing him, reviled him with opprobrious words : 325 

" Ill-timed, Sir, dost thou foster this resentment in thy 5 soul. 
The people are perishing, righting round the city and the lofty 
wall : and on thy account do the shout and the war rage round 
this city : and yet wouldst thou thyself quarrel 6 with another, 
if thou anywhere sawest him skulking from horrid battle. But 330 
up, lest the city soon blaze with hostile fire." 

And him in return, the godlike Alexander addressed : cc Hec- 
tor, as thou upbraidest me but justly, and not unjustly 7 , there- 
fore will I speak to thee ; and do thou observe and hear me. 
Not so much through resentment or indignation against the 335 
Trojans sat I in my chamber, as that I wished to give way to 
my grief. And now my spouse, persuading me with gentle 
words, was urging me to war ; and so to myself also seemed it 
better ; for victory comes to men by turns 8 . Come then, wait, 340 
and I will put on my martial armour ; or go ; and I will follow; 
and I am sure I shall overtake thee.' r ~ — * ■ 

Thus he spake, and the helmed Hector answered not. But 
Helen addressed him in soothing words : 

" O brother-in-law of mine — mischievous woman 9 , and false 
that I am — would that on that day, when my mother first bore 345 

1 The female apartment — where the wife spent her time, and the husband a 
part of his leisure. 

2 The hall — which served as a saloon, and eating room. 

3 otuXtp — an open court, around which the apartments were built. 

4 It — i. e. the spear — the part where the point was joined to the shaft. 

5 Xot well hast thou put this resentment in thy mind — a resentment excited by 
the readiness which the Trojans had shown to abandon him. 

6 Fight — i, e. with words. 

7 According to justice, and not contrary, or beyond. 

8 Passes from one to another — i. e. though I have just been beaten, I may be 
the conqueror next time. 

9 Evil-planning dog— not to use the too-forcible epithet of the feminine gender. 



108 ILIAD VI.— V. 346—382. 

me, some terrible storm of wind had borne me off to a mountain, 
or into the wave of the roaring sea, where the wave would have 
washed me away, before these things happened 1 . But as the 

350 gods thus doomed these evils, then would that I had been the 
spouse of a better man — of one who regarded 2 the indignation 
and many opprobriums of men. But to this man there is 3 
neither now, nor will there be hereafter a firm mind 4 : there- 
fore I fear he will reap the consequences. But come now, my 

355 brother, enter, and sit upon this seat, since on thy mind chiefly 
presses the toil 5 on account of graceless 6 me, and Alexander's 
guilt, to whom Jove has given an evil destiny, so that we shall 
be hereafter infamous in song among future generations 7 /' 
And then the mighty helmed Hector replied : " Do not make 
; 360 me sit down, Helen, hospitable as thou art ; nor shalt thou per- 
suade me ; for my soul urges me to succour the Trojans, who 
feel the want of me in my absence. But urge thou this man, 
and let himself too make haste, that he may overtake me before 

365 I quit the town 8 ; for I will go to my house, that I may see my 
domestics, and my beloved wife, and my infant son ; since I 
know not whether I shall any more come back to them, or 
whether the gods will now subdue me under the hands of the 
Achasans." 

Thus having spoken, the helmed Hector departed, and imme- 

370 diately after he came to his well-placed 9 mansion, but found not 
white-armed Andromache in the halls : for she had been standing 
upon the tower with her child and well-veiled attendant 1 , 
weeping and lamenting. And Hector, when he found not his 

3^5 excellent wife within, going to the threshold, he stopped, and 
said to the domestics : 

" Tell me, maidens, true 2 . Whither is white-armed Andro- 
mache gone from the house ? Is she gone to any of the sisters 
of her husband, or the well-veiled wives of his brothers, or to 

380 the temple of Minerva, where the other fair-haired Trojan 
women are supplicating the awful goddess ? 

Then the notable housekeeper 3 said in return : " Hector, as 

1 i. e. in modern phrase — and prevented these things. 

2 Knew — i. e. who could estimate the moral indignation of men, and had some 
feeling of shame. 3 His mind, or senses are. 

4 Said with reference to the levity with which Paris had disregarded the censure 
of the Trojans. 

6 i. e. you have all the toil. 6 Dog. 

t Be sung of by future men — men to be. 8 Being yet within the town. 

9 va»£raov<ras — applies to the position, as below, 415, &c. in B. 626, &c. 
1 The nurse. 2 True things. s Dispenser. 



ILIAD VI.— V. 383—426. 109 

thou bidst us tell the truth. — she is gone neither to any of the 
sisters of her husband, nor to the well-veiled wives of his broth- 
ers, nor to the temple of Minerva, where the other fair-haired 
Trojan women supplicate the awful goddess : but she is gone to 385 
the high wall of Ilium, because she heard that the Trojans were 
hard pressed, and that the might of the Achseans was great. 
She is gone near to the wall, hastening like a mad woman, and 
the nurse carries the boy along with her." 

The female housekeeper said ; and Hector rushed from the 390 
house, the same way back, through the well-built streets. And 
when, passing through the great city, he came to the Scasan 
gates, (for that way he must go out to the plain,) where his 
rich-dowered wife came running to meet him, Andromache, 
daughter of the noble Eetion — Eetion who dwelt at the foot of 395 
woody Placus, in Hypoplacian Thebe, governing Cilician men. 
His daughter was wedded 4 to the brazen-mailed Hector. She 
then met him, and'with her went an attendant, holding in her 
bosom the tender child, quite an infant, the beloved son of 400 
Hector, like a beautiful star. Him Hector called Scamandrius, 
but others Astyanax : for Hector alone defended Ilium. Then, 
looking at his son in silence, he smiled : and Andromache stood 
beside him, weeping : and she clung to his hand, addressed 405 
him, and said: 

"Thy 5 valour will destroy thee; nor dost thou pity thine 
infant, nor me, miserable, who will soon be thy widow ; for soon 
will the Achseans slay thee, all attacking thee ; and it will be 
better for me, when deprived of thee, to go under the earth: for 410 
there will no longer be other comfort, when thou art dead 6 , but 
— sorrows. Nor have I father or venerable mother ; for in truth 
the noble Achilles slew my father, and sacked the well-situated 
city of the Cilicians, high-gated Thebe. Eetion he slew, but 415 
stripped not, because he had a religious fear of this in his mind 7 ; 
but he burned him, with his beautiful armour, and heaped over 
him a mound; and the nymphs, the Oreades, daughters of 
aegis-bearing Jove, planted elms around it. And in his halls 420 
were seven brothers of mine, who all went on the same day to 
Hades ; for the noble Achilles, swift of foot, slew them all among 
their slow-footed oxen and white sheep. And my mother, who 
was a queen, at the foot of woody Placus, after he had led her 425 
away with the other spoils, he again set at liberty, receiving an 

< Was had by Hector. 5 Acujxovjs. 6 When thou hast departed to death. 

7 i. e. he forebore, from fear of drawing on himself the vengeance of the gods 
^or such indignity — as, in 167 of this book, the same phrase expresses Praetus's fear 
of incurring the like vengeance, should he kill Bellerophon with his own hands. 



110 ILIAD VI— V. 427—467. 

immense ransom; and Diana, delighting in arrows, shot her in 
the halls of my father 8 . But thou, Hector, art a father, a venera- 

430 hie mother, and a brother to me, and thou art my youthful hus- 
band : therefore, come now, have pity upon me, and remain here 
in the tower, nor render thy son an orphan, and thy wife a 
widow. And station the army by the wild fig-tree, where the 

435 town is easiest of approach 9 , and the wall is assailable ; for three 
times the chiefs advancing, have attempted it in this quarter, 
the two Ajaxes 1 , and the famous Idomeneus, and the sons of 
Atreus, and the brave son of Tydeus — either some of them well 
skilled in auguries advised them, or their own mind impels and 
directs them." 

440 And fter the mighty-helmed Hector addressed in return : "All 
these things, too, are my care, wife ; but I should be very much 
ashamed 2 to look at the Trojans and long-robed 3 Trojan women, 
if, like a coward, I shrunk from battle — nor does my soul thus 

445 prompt me, for I have learned to be always Brave, and to fight 
amongst the foremost Trojans, vindicating the great glory of my 
father, and my own. But this I well know in my mind and in 
my soul 4 that the day will come when sacred Ilium will perish, 
and Priam, and the people of Priam, of the good ashen spear : 

450 yet the sorrows of the Trojans hereafter are not so much a 

matter of concern to me, nor Hecuba's herself, nor king Priam's, 

nor my brothers', who, many and brave, shall fall in the dust 

beneath their enemies, as thine, when some one of the mailed 

~ w Achseans shall carry thee weeping, away, depriving thee of 

^°® liberty 5 ; and when, being in Argos, thou shalt weave a web for 
another, and carry water from the fountain of Messeis or Hype- 
reia, much against thy will, but strong necessity will lie on thee ; 
and some one say, beholding thee shedding tears, ' That is the 

460 w jf e f Hector, who was the best of the Trojan chiefs in fighting, 
when they fought around Troy.' Thus some will say, and thy 
grief will be renewed, from the want of such an husband to de- 
liver thee from slavery 6 . But may the piled up earth cover 

^65 me , dead, before I hear of thy cry or thy captivity." 

Thus saying, the illustrious Hector held out his hands to his 
child : but the child, screaming, shrunk back to the bosom of his 

8 Supposed to be expressive of sudden death — or of death by inflammatory fevers. 

9 Of ascent. l Those about the two Ajaxes, &c. 
2 aickofxai. 3 Dragging long robes — i. e. with long trains. 
4 i, e. I am sure of — as if convinced by knowledge and feeling. 

s Taking away thy free day. 

6 Servile day — as in line 455, eXsu0S£ov ?jXa£, free day — i. e. ^(xa^ expresses 
the 6tate or condition in which a person passes his day, or time. 



ILIAD VI.— V. 468—511. Ill 

well-girdled nurse, alarmed at the aspect of the fond father, 
fearing the brazen armour, and the horse-hair crest, seeing it 
nodding terribly from the summit of the helmet ; and the fond 470 
father and noble mother smiled. Forthwith from his head the 
illustrious Hector took the helm, and laid it shining upon the 
ground ; and when he had kissed his loved child, and dandled 
him in his arms, praying to Jove and the other gods, he said : 475 

" Jove, and ye other gods, grant that this my son also may 
become distinguished among the Trojans, as I have been : that 
?te may be thus brave 7 , and may powerfully govern Ilium ; and 
may some one say of him, returning from battle — ' He is much 480 
mightier than his father ;' and, slaying his enemy, let him bring 
the bloody spoils, and gladden the heart cf his mother." 

Thus speaking, he placed the child in the arms of his beloved 
wife , and she received him in her sweet bosom, smiling through 8 
her tears ; and her husband observing, pitied her, and caressed 485 
her in his arms, and addressed her, and said : 

u Be not too much afflicted in thy mind for me, love ; for no 
man, before my fate 9 , will send me to Hades. And no man, 
either the coward or the brave, I am sure, can ever escape death, 
who ever was born 1 . But go to the house, and attend to thy 490 
employments, the loom and the wheel, and order thy handmaids 
to perform their work ; whilst war sfcall be the care of all the 
men, who are born in Troy, and especially of me." 

Thus having spoken, the illustrious Hector took up his helmet, 
crested with horse-hair ; and his beloved wife, looking back, de- 495 
parted home, shedding abundant tears ; and soon then she 
reached the well-placed house of Hector, slayer of men, and 
found her numerous handmaids within, and excited lamentation 
among them all. And they lamented Hector in his house, 500 
though still alive ; for they thought that he never would return 
again from war, escaping the might and hands of the Achaeans. 

Nor did Paris loiter in his lofty mansion ; but when he had 
put on his noble brazen armour, he hastened through the city, 
trusting to his swift feet 2 . And as when some stabled horse, fed 505 
on barley at the stall, breaking his halter, runs over the plain, 
beating the earth with his feet, (accustomed to wash himself in 
the fair-flowing river,) exulting ; and he carries his head on high, 
and his mane wantons upon his shoulders ; and, proud of his 
beauty, his limbs soon bear him to the haunts and pastures of 510 
the mares ; so Paris, son of Priam, down from the high Per- 

1 Thus good in might. « Tearfully smiling. 

9 C-rrsp ajtfav. i Lit. after he was first born — ». e. all who are born must die. 

2 i. e. treading — walking with rapid steps. 



112 ILIAD VI.— V. 512—529. 

gamus, glittering in armour like the sun, ran exulting, and his 
swift feet bore him along. And immediately after, he overtook 

515 his noble brother Hector, when he was just going to turn from 
the place, where he had conversed with his wife. — Him the 
godlike Alexander first addressed : " My revered brother, in 
truth, I am keeping thee, though in haste, with my delay, and 
have not come at the right time 3 , as thou didst bid me." 

520 But the helmed Hector answering him. said : " My good 
brother, no man, who is just, will find fault with thy conduct in 
battle, for thou art brave ; but thou too readily neglectest 4 the 
battle, and ait unwilling to encounter it; and my heart is grieved, 

525 when I hear the infamies charged on thee by the Trojans, who 
suffer much toil for thy sake. But let us go, and we will settle 
these matters hereafter, if Jove ever grant that we raise in our 
halls the free 5 goblet to the everlasting heavenly gods, after 
having driven the well-armed Achgeans from Troy." 

3 i. e. at the time it became him — with sufficient speed. 4 fiSfiiSiS — A. 240. 

5 i. e. when we are freed from all apprehension — when we are victorious, and 
the war at an end. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMES 



BOOK VIL 



ARGUMENT. 

Ajax and Hector engage in singfc combat. The Grecians fortify their camp. 

Thus saying, illustrious Hector rushed from the gates, and 
with him went his brother Alexander: and both were eager in 
their minds to join in the war and the battle. And as a god gives 
a breeze to sailors, longing for it, when they are weary with 
agitating the deep 1 with their smooth oars, and their limbs are 5 
relaxed with toil ; so too appeared these two to the Trojans, 
desiring them. Then they slew, the one 2 , Menesthius, son of 
king Areithous, dwelling at Arna, whom the club-bearing Arei'- 
thoiis and the fair 3 Philomedusa produced ; and Hector struck 10 
EToneus with his sharp spear upon the neck, under the brazen 4 
rim of the helmet, and slew him 5 . And Glaucus, son of Hippo- 
lochus, leader of the Lycian warriors, smote with his spear, in 
the sharp battle, Iphinous, son of Dexias, upon the shoulder, as 1'5 
he was springing into his car 6 : and he fell from his horses to 
the ground, and his limbs were relaxed. 

x\nd when the blue-eyed goddess, Minerva, observed the 
Argives perishing in the fierce battle, she descended in haste 
from the summits of Olympus to sacred Ilion : and Apollo, be- 20 
holding her from Pergamus, speeded to meet her, for he desired 
victory for the Trojans. And these met each other by the 
beech-tree, and the king Apollo, the son of Jove, first addressed 
her: 

" Why, again, excited, daughter of mighty Jove, comest thou 

1 i. e. in a calm. 2 Alexander. 3 /3owtfiS. 

4 sir^aXxou — expressive of the beauty of the decoration or workmanship. 

5 Kelaxed his limbs. 6 On his horses. 

9 



114 ILIAD VIL— V. 25-59. 

25 from Olympus, and what does thy great spirit prompt thee to? 
Is it that thou mayst give Victory 7 an auxiliary to the battle of 
the Danaans ? Since thou pitiest not at all the perishiig Tro- 
jans. But if thou wilt be advised by me, which I think will be 

30 much better, let us now stop the war and the conflict for to day; 
and another time they shall fight again, till they accomplish the 
destruction 8 of Ilium, — since it is thus agreeable to the minds of 
you immortals to destroy this city." 

And the blue-eyed goddess, Minerva, addressed him in return : 
"So let it be, far-darter; for I myself also, meditating the 

35 same things, came from Olympus to the Trojans and Achaeans. 

Come, then, how dost thou propose to stop the battle of heroes?" 

And to her king Apollo, son of Jove, replied : " Let us stir 

up the bold spirit of Hector, tamer of horses, that he may chal- 

40 lenge alone one of the Danaans, singly to fight against him in 
fierce combat ; and that the brazen-greaved Achaeans, indignant, 
urge some one alone to fight the mome Hector." 

Thus he spake, and the blue-eyed goddess Minerva did not 
refuse. And Helenus, the dear son of Priam, gathered up in his 

45 mind their purpose, that 9 , which seemed good to the gods deli- 
berating ; and approaching, he stood beside Hector, and addres- 
sed this speech to him : 

u Hector, son of Priam, equal in counsel to Jove, wilt thou be 
advised by me ? I am thy brother. Make all the rest of the 
Trojans and the Achaeans sit down, and do thou thyself chal- 

50 lenge of the Achaeans the bravest 1 to fight with thee in dreadful 
combat ; for 2 not yet is it thy destiny to die and fulfil thy fate ; 
for thus have I heard 3 the voice of the everlasting gods." 

Thus he spake, and Hector, again, was greatly rejoiced, hear- 

55 ing the proposal ; and advancing into the midst, he kept back 
the phalanxes of the Trojans, holding his spear in the middle ; 
and they all fell back 4 ; and Agamemnon also made the well- 
armed Achaeans sit down. Meanwhile Minerva, and the silver- 
bowed Apollo, like vultures 5 , sat down upon the lofty beech of 

' Victory is here personified, hs^akxr^ is whatever lends help to another — 
an efficient auxiliary. 

8 Find an end of Ilion. » v\ pa. 

1 Whoever of the Ach»ans is bravest. 

2 For fate is not to thee to die, and fall upon destruction. 

3 In line 44 he collected — it appears not hoiv— the mind of the gods. Here he 
is said to hear, which probably conveys no more than to understand; and must 
be taken in consistency with the former phraseology. 

4 Made to sit — *. e. to be quiet — to suspend the combat. 

5 Like to vulture birds. 



ILIAD VIL— V. 60—100. 115 

father Jove, the aegis-bearer, delighted with the men — for their 60 
dense ranks sat down, bristling with shields, and helmets, and 
spears. And as a ripple spreads on the sea, when the zephyr 
first rises, and the sea darkens under 6 ; so too sat the ranks of 65 
the Achaeans and Trojans upon the plain ; and Hector spoke to 
both: 

" Hear me, Trojans, and well-armed Achaeans, that I may 
speak what my soul in my bosom prompts. The son of Saturn, 
who sitteth aloft, has not fulfilled our compact, but meditating 
evils, he destines them for both, till either ye take the well- 70 
towered Troy, or yourselves fall beside your sea-faring ships. 
There are among you the bravest of all the Achaeans— of all 
these, then, let him, whose spirit prompts him to fight with me, 
come hither, to be the champion against noble Hector. Thus 75 
then, do I propose, and let Jove be a witness between us; 
— if he shall slay me with his long-pointed spear, then, stripping 
off my armour, let him bear it to the hollow ships ; but let him 
restore my body home, that the Trojans and wives of the Tro- SO 
jans may consume my dead body with fire 7 . But if I shall slay 
him, and Apollo give me glory, I will, stripping off his arms, 
bear them to sacred Ilium, and suspend them in the temple of 
the far-darting Apollo, and his body I will restore to the well- 
benched ships, that the long-haiied Achaeans may perform his 85 
exequies, and pile up for him a tomb beside the broad Helles- 
pont. And hereafter even among future generations 8 will they 
say, when sailing in a many-benched ship upon the dark sea : 
* This is the tomb of an hero slain long ago, whom though the 
bravest 9 , the illustrious Hector once killed.' Thus they 1 will 90 
say, and my glory will never perish." 

Thus he spake, and all became silent. They were ashamed 
indeed to decline the challenge, but they were afraid to accept 
it. Till at last Menelaus started up, and spoke among them, 
tauntingly upbraiding them 2 , and was greatly excited 3 : 95 

" Oh ! boasters, Achaean women, no longer Achaean men, 
surely this will be a stain most miserable 4 , if no one of the Da- 
naans shall encounter 5 Hector. But may ye be all earth and 
water, sitting here, each heartless, thus inglorious; and I will 100 



6 i. e. under the ripple. 

7 May give me dead the portion of fire. 8 Of men to be after. 
9 i. e. of the Achaeans. x *»£ — indefinitely. 

8 Reviling with a taunt. 3 Groaned much in spirit 
■* Surely these things will be grievously a disgrace from grief. 

5 Go against — or go to meet. 



116 ILIAD VII.— V. 101-146. 

myself arm against him ; for victory 6 is with the immortal gods 
above." 

Thus having spoken, he braced on his bright armour. Then, 
Menelaus, would the end of life have come to thee, by the hands 
105 of Hector, since he was much more powerful, had not the kings 
of the Achasans, starting up, restrained thee : and the son of 
^Etreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon,*himself took him by the right 
hand, and addressed him, and said ; 

" Thou art foolish, heaven-protected Menelaus : nor does this 

1 10 folly at all become thee. Now restrain thyself; vexed though 

thou art ; nor desire, from anger, to fight with a man mightier 

than thyself— with Hector, the son of Priam, whom others dread : 

for even Achilles, who is much more valiant than thou, shudders 

115 to meet this man inglorious battle. But do thou now sit down, 

going to thy troop of comrades, and the Acha?ans will stir up 

another champion for him. Intrepid although he be, and though 

he is insatiable of battle, I think he will willingly bend his 

knee 7 if he escape from glowing war and fierce battle." 

120 Thus saying, the hero bent the mind of his brother, advising 

what was right : and he obeyed j and then his joyful attendants 

stripped the armour from his shoulders. Ana Nestor arose 

among the Argives and said : 

"Oh now a deep disgrace is come upon the Achaean land? 
125 The old equestrian man Peleus, the good counsellor and adviser 
of the Myrmidons will indeed lament — he who of old delighted, 
in his house, to interrogate me, and inquire into the race and 
parentage of all the Argives,— if he shall hear that these are all 
130 now paralysed by Hector, he will lift up his hands to the im- 
mortals, and pray that his soul may descend from his limbs to 
the mansion of Pluto. O, father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, that 
I were young, as once when the assembled Pylians and Area- 
135 dians, skilled in the spear, fought by the rapid Celadon at the 
walls of Phea, by the streams of Jardamjs. Among them fore- 
most stood Ereuthalion, a godlike man, having upon his shoulders 
the arms of king Arei'thous — the noble Arei'thous, on whom men 
and well-girded women bestowed the surname of Corynetes 8 . 
140 because he fought neither with bow nor long spear, but broke 
phalanxes with an iron mace 9 . Him Lycurgus slew by guile, 
and not by force, in a narrow passage, where 1 his iron mace 
availed not to repel destruction from him ; for Lycurgus, anti- 

6 The ends of victory— 'the effects or results of it — victory itself. 

7 i. e. sit down for very weariness. 

8 Whom men and well-girded women called by surname. 9 xogWY h 
i o# apu — where that is — pointing out the cause of the impediment. 






ILIAD VIL— V. 145—185. 117 

cipating him, pierced him through his body with a spear ; and 145 
Are'ithous fell prone to the soil ; and he plundered him of the 
arms, which brazen Mars had given to him, and afterwards wore 
them himself in war 2 . And when Lycurgus had grown old in 
his halls, he gave them to Ereuthalion, his beloved servant, to 
be worn; — and he, possessing his armour, challenged all the 150 
bravest ; and they trembled and were much afraid, and no one 
dared to accept the challenge. Then my bold spirit with its 
own confidence urged me to fight ; although I was the youngest 
of all. And I fought with him, and Minerva gave me glory. 
Him then, the greatest and the mightiest man, I slew; for 155 
he lay, vast, extended on all sides 3 . Would that I were thus 
young, and that my strength was entire ; then the helmed Hec- 
tor soon should have somebody to fight with him 4 . But of you, 
who are the bravest of all the Achaeans. none dare to go against 160 
Hector 5 ." 

Thus the old man upbraided them : and full nine started up 6 . 
Much the first rose Agamemnon ; king of men ; and after him the 
gallant Diomedes arose, the son of Tydeus ; and after them the 
Ajaxes, men of vigorous force ; and after them Idomeneus, and 
Meriones, the comrade of Idomeneus, equal to Mars, the slayer 165 
of men ; and after them Eurypylus, the renowned son of Evae- 
mon; and Thoas the son of Andrgemon, rose, and the noble 
Ulysses. All these then wished to fight with noble Hector; and 170 
Nestor, the Gerenian chief addressed them : 

" Now shake all of you for the lot to see. which shall obtain 
it ; for he will soon do good service to the well-armed Achseans, 
and will himself delight his own soul, if he escape from glowing 
war and fierce battle." 

Thus he spake, and they marked each his own lot, and threw 175 
them into the helmet of Agamemnon, son of Atreus. And the 
people prayed, and lifted up their hands to the Gods, and thus 
said they, looking to the wide heaven : 

" O father Jove, choose 7 either Ajax, or the son of Tydeus, or 
the king of rich Mycene himself." 180 

Thus then they spake ; and Nestor, the Gerenean chief; shook ; 
and from the helmet sprang, what themselves wished, the lot of 
Ajax ; and a herald carrying it along the line 8 , showed it to the 
bravest of the Achaeans, beginning from the right, and they, not 185 

2 In the battle of Mars. 3 Here and here — jacuit immensus. 

4 pa.-)(r\$ — i. e . (J.ap(S(ro(X£vou — he should soon encounter one to fight with him — 
a battle. 5 Not with alacrity are you ready to go. 

c Nine in all — as many as nine. 7 Xap^Sjv s ciU oog. 

8 i. e. the nine in succession. 






118 ILIAD VII.— V. 186—222. 

knowing it, disclaimed it, each of them. But when at last, 
carrying it along the line, he came to him who had inscribed, 
and thrown it into the helmet, the illustrious Ajax, he stretched 
out his hand 9 , and the herald placed it in it, standing near; and 
beholding the mark of the lot, Ajax recognized it. and was de- 

190 lighted in his soul. And he cast it upon the ground, at his foot, 
and said : 

" My friends, truly the lot is mine, and I myself rejoice in my 
soul ; for I think that I shall conquer noble Hector. Come then, 
whilst I put on my war-armour, pray ye to king Jove, the son 
of Saturn, in silence with yourselves, that the Trojans at least 

195 may not hear — or even aloud, since we by no means fear any 
one ; for no one at pleasure will make jne fly in spite of me, by 
force, nor through my own unskilfulness, since I do hope I was 
not born and bred at Salamis, so ignorant of arms 1 " 

200 Thus he spake ; and they prayed to king Jove, the son of 
Saturn, and thus said they 2 , looking to the wide heaven : 

"O father Jove, governing from Ida, most glorious, most 
mighty, grant to Ajax, to obtain victory and glorious renown ; 

205 and if thou lovest Hector also, and carest for him, bestow equal 
force and glory upon both." 

Thus they spake ; and Ajax armed himself in splendid brass. 
And when he had put all his armour upon his body, then with 
haste he stept forth, as walks the mighty Mars, who goes to 
battle among the men, whom the son of Saturn incites to fight, 

210 with the force of life-destroying contention. Such then ad- 
vanced the mighty Ajax, the bulwark of the Achasans, with a 
smile upon his stern features 3 , and walked upon his feet below 
him, taking huge 4 strides, and brandishing a long spear. And 
the Argives beholding him were greatly delighted ; while strong 

215 terror took the limbs of each of the Trojans 5 , and the heart of 
Hector himself beat within his bosom ; but it was no longer in 
his power to retreat 6 , nor escape into the ranks of the army, 
since he had challenged to the combat. And Ajax came near, 
bearing, like a tower, his brazen shield, made of seven bulls' 

220 hides, which Tychius toiled to form 7 for him, by far the best 
maker of shields, dwelling in his house at Hyla. He formed 
the varied shield, made of the hides of seven fat bulls 8 , and 

9 To take and examine it. 

i vr\i5a, scU. ccs^Xwv, Odyss. ©. 179. 2 <n$. 

3 Smiling with his terrible countenance. 4 Stepping long. 

3 But fearful trembling came upon the Trojans, each as to his limbs. 

6 He no longer had it to fear. 7 Which Tychius labouring made. 

8 Of seven bulls' hides — of fat bulls. 



ILIAD VIL— V. 223—265. 119 

plated it, for, for an eighth fold, with brass 9 . Bearing this be- 
fore his breast, the Telamonian Ajax stood very near to Hector 225 
and boasting said : 

" Hector, now shalt thou soon clearly know, man to man 1 , 
what chiefs there are among the Danaans, even besides the lion- 
souled Achilles, the breaker of ranks. He indeed abides at his 
high-beaked sea-crossing ships, indignant with Agamemnon, the 
shepherd of the people ; still we, such as are able to encounter 230 
thee 2 , are e'en many : but begin the battle and the war 3 ." 

And him then the mighty helmed Hector addressed : " God- 
like Ajax, son of Telamon, commander of the troops, treat me 
not like a puny boy, or a woman, who knows not martial deeds; 235 
for I am well acquainted with battle, and the slaughter of men. 
I know how to turn my snield to the right and to the left, so 
that I 4 can fight long without exhaustion 5 ; I know how to con- 
tend in standing battle 6 ; and I know how to rush into battle in 240 
the rapid car. But I wish not to strike thee, such 7 as thou art, 
stealthily watching an opportunity, but openly, if I can do it." 

He said, and shaking it, hurled his long spear, and struck the 
huge shield of Ajax, made of seven bulls' hides, upon the brass, 245 
on the outside plate, which was the eighth upon it. And the 
unwearied spear went through six folds, dividing them, but was 
stopped in the seventh hide. Next Ajax, Jove-sprung, threw 
his long spear, and struck the Jfcund shield of the son of Priam. 250 
The forceful spear went through the shining shiel<Land trans- 
fixed the curiousl^wrought corselet, and the spear cut the tunic 
right through at the flank ; but Hector swerved, and escaped 
black death. Now both, at the same time, dragging out their 255 
long spears with their hands, rushed together, like flesh-devour- 
ing lions or wild boars, whose strength is not feeble. Then the 
son of Priam smote the middle of Ajax's shield with his spear, 
but split not the brass, for his point bent. And Ajax, leaping 260 
upon him, thrust at his shield, and the spear went quite through, 
and rolled him back, as he was rushing on, for it came with the 
point 8 upon the neck ; and the black blood gushed forth. But 
neither thus did the helmed Hector desist from battle ; for step- 
ping back, he seized in his strong hand a stone lying upon the 265 

9 And laid on an eighth brass. 1 Single to single — thou alone to me alone. 

2 Such who can encounter thee,&c. 

3 Battle and war — a case of hendyades, rather than of tautology — instead of 
battle of war — i. e. contrasted with one of -words. 

* On which account there is to me, &c. He could use the shield on either arm. 

6 to OS, <fec. and that is a sustaining thing, &c. 

9 oc. 'uo*fJ.»v7] — I know in standing fight how to dance to fierce Mars. 

7 Being such. 8 Adverbially — cuttingly. 









120 ILIAD VIL- V. 266—304. 

ground, black, and rough, and huge, with which he struck the 
strong shield of Ajax, made of seven bulls' hides, in the middle 
of the boss, and the brass rang again. And Ajax, in his turn, 
lifting a much larger stone, and, whirling/ threw it, and impelled 
it with prodigious strength, and quite shattered his shield, stri- - 

270 king it with the rock like a mill-stone. And the knees of Hec- 
tor failed him, and he was stretched supine, encumbered by his 
shield : but Apollo forthwith set him upright again. And now 
hand to hand would they have struck each other with their 

27 o swords, had not the heralds, the messengers of Jove 9 and of men, 
come up, one of the Trojans, another of the brazen-armed 
Achasans, Talthybius and Idceus, both discreet men ; and they 
held their sceptres between them both, and the herald Idasus, 
skilled in prudent counsels 1 , thus spake : 

'•No longer, good lads 2 , contend nor fight, for the cloud-col- 

2sX) lecting Jove loves you both, and ye are both warriors — that now 
we all know. But night is now at hand, and it is good to obey 
night 3 ." 

And Telamonian Ajax, answering him, said : " Idaeus, bid 
Hector speak to these things 4 , for himself challenged all the 

285 bravest to combat. Let him begin, and I will comply, if he 
wishes." 

And him then the mighty helmed Hector addressed: "Ajax, 
since God has given thee migj|t, and strength, and prudence, 
and thou ^rt the ablest of the^Lclueans with the spear, let us 

290 now cease Trom battle and contention to-dav# Another time we 






will fight again, till fate separate us, and give victory to . one or 
the other. But night is now at hand, and it is good to obey 
night — that thou mayst cheer all the Achasans at the ships, es- 

295 pecially thy friends and the comrades whom thou hast 5 , and I 
cheer the Trojans and long-robed Trojan women in the vast city 
of King Priam, who have entered the heavenly shrine, praying 

300 for me 6 . And come, let us both give noble gifts to each other, 
that Achaeans 7 and Trojans may thus say — they fought indeed 
in deadly strife, and then, reconciled, they separated in friend- 
ship." 

Thus then having spoken, he gave his silver-hilted sword, 

9 As if their authority was derived from Jove — like that of kings, 
i i. e. intelligent — or rather discreet persons, who did not go beyond their war- 
rant. 2 The heralds were of course elderly men. 
3 A proverbial expression. 4 To propose these things. 

5 Who may be to thee. 

6 Alluding to the procession of Hecuba and the Trojan ladies, Z. 296, &c. 

7 TJ£ Ap(a»wv, &c. 



ILIAD VII— V. 305—342. 121 

presenting it with the sheath and well-made belt ; and Ajax 305 
gave a scarlet 8 baldrick. 

Then separating, the one went to the people of the Achaeans, 
and the other went to the crowd of Trojans ; and they were de- 
lighted when they saw him approaching, alive and unhurt, hav- 
ing escaped the might and invincible hands of Ajax ; and they 310 
led him to the city, not hoping that he would be safe 9 . On the 
other side, the well-armed Achaeans conducted Ajax, joyful with 
vietory, to noble Agamemnon. And when now they were in 
the tents of Atrides, the king of men, Agamemnon sacrificed for 315 
them an ox, a male, five years old, to the almighty son of Saturn. 
This they skinned and prepared 1 , and cut it all up into quarters, 
and then skilfully sefferatej^hem into small pieces, and pierced 
them with spits, and carefu^r dressed them, and drew them all 
off again. And after they had ceased from labour, and prepared 
the feast, they feasted, nor were their appetites without a due 320 
share of the feast. 2 And the hero, the son of Atreus, the wide- 
ruling Agamemnon, honored Ajax with the whole loins 3 . Then 
when they had taken away the desire of eating and drinking, 
the aged Nestor, whose advice also had before appeared best, 325 
first began to suggest a plan. He harangued them wisely, and 
said : 

" Atrides, and ye other chiefs of all the Achaeans, many long- 
haired Achasans are dead, — their dark blood, around the sweet- 
flowing Scamander, Mars has cruelly shed, and their ^>uls have 330 
descended to Hades: Therefore it becomes thee, to suspend the 
war of the iVchaeans in the morning ; and we, assembled, will 
wheel hither the bodies with oxen and mules ; and burn them 
at a little distance from the ships, that each may carry home the 
bones to the children, when we again return to our native land 335 
— and, raising it, we will pile up on the plain one common tomb 
around the funeral pyre ; and close to it we will quickly build 
lofty towers 4 , to be a defence for the ships and for ourselves. 
And in them let us make gates well fitted, that through them 340 
there may be a pass for the cars and horses ; and close to them 
we will dig a deep ditch outside, which, extending to each end 5 , 



s Shining with scarlet. 9 i. e. who had despaired of his safety. 

i Were busy about it — probably washing the carcase — removing the blood, &c. 

1 OOLlTOs S'itfv}?. 

3 The vuto\> i s the part between the shoulders ; Ajax's portion was what a 
butcher would call the fore-loins— the ribs. The extraordinary share enabled him 
to compliment his friends. 

< Or rather, one wall, with turrets at intervals. See lines 436, 7. 

5 oc.up/S is more frequently used for at each end of a thing, than for all round. 



122 ILIAD VII— V. 343—378. 

will keep off horses and men, that the war of the haughty Tro- 
jans may not overwhelm us." 

Thus he spake, and all the kings approved. In the mean 

345 time there was, in the Acropolis of Ilium, an assembly of Tro- 
jans, fierce and noisy, by the gates of Priam : and the prudent 
Antenor began to harangue them : 

" Hear me, ye Trojans, Dardans, and allies, whilst I speak 
what my soul within my bosom prompts. Come then, let us 

350 restore Argive Helen, and her possessions with her, to the 
Atreidse, to carry off; for now we fight, having violated our 
oaths of compacts ; wherefore I have no hope that any more 
good will be done by us, unless we act thus 6 ." 

He indeed, thus speaking, sat dqau\ ; bfk the noble Alexander 

355 arose among them, the husband of ine fair-haired Helen, and he, 
answering him, uttered these winged words : 

" Antenor, thou no longer speakest what is agreeable to me 7 . 
Thou mightest have known how to invent another speech, 

36*0 better than this. But if indeed thou sayest this seriously, then 
indeed the gods themselves have taken from thee thy senses. 
Therefore I will address the Trojans, tamers of horses ; and I 
say the very reverse— I will not restore the lady ; but all the trea- 
sures, as many as I brought from Argos to our house, I am willing 
to restore, and to add even others of my own 8 ." 

Then he thus speaking, sat down : and among them arose 

365 Priam, fDn of Dardanus, a counsellor equal to the gods, who 
harangued them with prudence, and said ; ' 

" Hear me, ye Trojans, Dardans, and allies, whilst I speak the 
things which my soul in my bosom bids me. Take now your 
supper throughout the city, as heretofore, and be mindful of the 

37X) watch, and keep awake, each of you. And in the morning let 
Idseus go to the hollow ships, to make 9 to the sons of Atreus, 
Agamemnon and Menelaus, the proposal of Alexander, on whose 
account the contest first began. And also to make this prudent 
request 1 , that they will consent to desist from horrid-sounding 

3^5 war, until we burn the dead — afterwards we will again fight till 
fate separate us, and give victory to one side or the other." 

Thus he spake ; and they listened attentively to him, and 
obeyed. Then they took supper throughout the army in compa- 

The wall and the ditch extended from one point of the shore to another, like a 
crescent, which enclosed within its concavity the huts and ships. 

6 i. e. as he advises. 

7 i. e. you no longer talk to please me — you used to be wiser ; but if you are 
serious, &c. 8 From my house. 9 Speak. 

1 Speak this prudent word. 



ILIAD VIL— V. 380—418. 123 

nies ; and in the morning Idaeus repaired to the hollow ships. 3SO 
And he found the Danaans, servants of Mars, in assembly at the 
stern of Agamemnon's ship ; and the eloquent herald, standing 
in the midst, addressed them : 

" Ye sons of Atreus, and other chiefs of all the Achaeans, 385 
Priam has ordered me, and with him the other noble Trojans, to 
make, if it be agreeable and desirable to you, the proposal of 
Alexander, on account of whom the contest began. The trea- 
sures which Alexander brought with him to Troy in his hollow 
ships, (would that he first had perished,) he is willing to restore 390 
them all, and even to add others of his own ; but the young 
spouse of the noble Menelaus. he says, he will not restore — al- 
though the Trojans certainly advise him. They also charged 
me to make this request— that you will consent to cease from 395 
horrid-sounding battle, whilst we burn the dead ; afterwards we 
will again fight, until fate separate us, and give victory to one 
one side or other." 

Thus he spake, and they were quietly all silent : but at length 
the gallant Diomedes addressed them : 

" Let none now accept either the treasures of Alexander, or 400 
Helen ; for it is manifest even to him, who is quite an infant, 
that final destruction 2 impends over the Trojans." 

Thus he spake, and all the sons of the Achaeans shouted, ad- 
miring the speech of Diomedes, tamer of horses ; and then king 405 
Agamemnon addressed Idaeus : • 

" Idaeus, truly thou thyself hearest the speech of the Achaeans, 
how they answer thee ; and thus also does it please me. But 
for the dead, I do not at all oppose their being burnt. For 
about dead carcases, there is no reluctance with us, to give them 410 
the benefit of fire, when once men are dead 3 . Let high-thun- 
dering Jove then, the husband of Juno, be witness 4 to the com- 
pact." 

Thus saying, he raised his sceptre to all the gods 5 ; and Idaeus 
went back to sacred Ilium. But the Trojans and Dardans sat 
in assembly, all collected, expecting when Idaeus should arrive ; 415 
and he came and reported his message, standing in the midst. 
Then they got ready 6 for both purposes very speedily, some to 
fetch the dead, and others to go to the forest 7 ; and the Argives 

2 The ends of destruction. 

3 Agamemnon cares nothing about the disposal of the enemy's dead — his only 
concern is that they should die. 

4 Know. s i.e. in attestation. 
6 Armed — i. e. provided themselves with carriages and implements. 

7 1. e. for wood. 






124 ILIAD YIL— V. 420—456. 

120 on the other side, from the well-benched ships, bestirred them- 
selves, some to fetch their dead, and others to go to the forest. 
The sun was afterwards newly striking the fields, ascending 
the sky from the soft-flowing 8 deep ocean ; and they met each 

425 other 9 . There it was difficult to distinguish 1 each man : but 
washing the bloody gore from them with water, they placed 
them upon cars, shedding hot tears. Nor did the mighty Priam 
suffer the Trojans to weep 2 ; but in silence they heaped the 
bodies upon the funeral pile, grieved in their hearts ; and having 

t30 burnt them with fire, returned to sacred Ilium. In like manner, 
on the other side, the well-armed Achseans heaped the bodies 
upon the funeral pile, grieved in their hearts ; and having burnt 
them with fire, returned to the hollow ships. 

And when it was not yet morning 3 , but still twilight 4 , then a 
chosen body of Acha^ans collected round the funeral pyre ; and 
around it they made one common tomb, raising it up on the 

435 plain ; and close to it they built the wall 5 and the lofty towers, 
a protection for themselves and the ships. And in them they 
made gates well fitted, that through them there might be a pass 

440 for the horses ; and near it they dug a deep ditch outside, wide 
and large, and fixed stakes in it. Thus the long-haired Greeks 
laboured. 

But the gods, sitting beside the thunderer, Jove, beheld with 
wonder the mighty work of the brazen- mailed Achasans. And 

1 15 Neptune, shaker of the earth, began to speak among them : 

" Father Jove, is there any one of the mortals upon the 
boundless earth, who will henceforth declare his mind or pur- 
pose to the immortals ? Seest thou not how, at last, the long- 
haired Achaeans have built a wall before their ships, and drawn 

t50 a ditch about it, and have given no noble hecatombs to the gods ? 
Surely the glory of this will be as far as the light is diffused, 
and men will forget that, which I and Phoebus Apollo, toiling, 
erected around the city, for the hero Laomedon." 

And him, the cloud-collecting Jove, much troubled, addressed : 

155 « O, earth-shaking Neptune, what hast thou said ! Some other 
of the gods indeed, who is much weaker than thou in strength 6 



8 The flow of the tide. 

9 i. e. the Trojans and Achffians — who wenf to the sru^c forest for fuel. 

1 Trojan and Achaean — engaged in similar oiliccM. 

2 i. e. to make the usual cries of funeral grief. 

3 i. e. the next day — day after the conflagration of the bodies. 

4 a^(piX\)X7] — night was getting light about it — the dawn. 

5 The wall itself— the said wall. 6 Hands. 



ILIAD VII.— Y. 457—482. 125 

• 
and in power, might dread this scheme 7 . But thy glory will 
surely last as long as light is diffused. However, when, again, 
the long-haired Aehosans shall depart in their ships for their 460 
loved native land, do thou, breaking down the wall overwhelm 
it all in the sea ; and cover again the vast shore in the sand, so 
that the mighty wall of the Achaeans vanish." 

Thus such words they addressed to each other. And the sun 
set, and the work of the Achaeans was completed. And they 465 
slew oxen at the tents, and took supper. And ships arrived 
from Lemnos, bringing wine, many, which Euneus had dis- 
patched, the son of Jason, whom Hypsipyle bore to Jason, shep- 
herd of the people. And the son of Jason gave wine, a thousand 470 
measures, to take separately 8 to the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon, 
and Menelaus. There then the long-haired Achaeans purchased 
wine, some for brass, some for shining iron, some for hides, some 
for the oxen themselves, and some for slaves ; and they made a £75 
splendid feast. . 

Then all night the long-haired Achreans feasted ; but the 
Trojans and allies were in the city. And all night the wise 
Jove was planning evils against them, thundering fearfully, 
and pale fear seized them. And they poured wine from their 
cups upon the ground ; nor ventured any one to drink, before 480 
he made a libation to the almighty son of Saturn. Afterwards 
they lay down, and took the gift of sleep. 

7 Work planned and executed by the Achseans. 
v As a present to the commanders. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER. 



BOOK VIII. 



ARGUMENT. 

Jove calls a council, in which he forbids all interference of the gods between the 
Greeks and Trojans. He repairs to Ida, where, having consulted the scales of 
destiny, he directs his lightning against the Grecians. Nestor is endangered 
by the death of one of his horses. Diomedes delivers him. In the chariot of 
Diomedes they both hasten to engage Hector, whose charioteer is slain by 
Diomedes. Jupiter again interposes by his thunders, and the whole Grecian 
host, discomfited, is obliged to seek refuge within the rampart. Diomedes, with 
others, at sight of a favourable omen sent from Jove in answer to Agamemnon's 
prayer, sallies. Teucer performs great exploits, but is disabled by Hector. 
Juno and Pallas set forth from Olympus in aid of the Grecians, but are stopped 
by Jupiter, who reascends from Ida, and in heaven foretels the distresses which 
await the Grecians. 

Hector takes measures for the security of Troy during the night, and prepares his 
host for an assault to be made on the Grecian camp in the morning. 

Now was the morning with saffron-veil diffused over the 
whole earth, and Jove, delighting in thunder, made an assembly 
of the gods upon the highest summit of the many-topped Olym- 
pus: and he harangued them, and all the gods listened together: 
5 "Hear me, all ye gods and all ye goddesses, whilst I speak 
the things, which my soul within my breast bids me. Nor let 
any goddess nor god 1 attempt to violate this my charge ; but 
concur all of you together, that I may, as soon as possible, ac- 
10 complish these operations. And whichever of the gods I shall 
observe planning apart from the gods 2 , going to assist either 

» Nor let any female god, nor any male. 

2 Join ccjravsu^e s^sXovtcc — willing apart — i. c. following his own will in oppo- 
sition to mine. 



ILIAD VIIL— V. 12-55. 127 

Trojans or Danaans, struck, not to his credit, shall he return to 
Olympus;— or, seizing him, I will cast him into dark Tartarus 
very tar down, where is the lowest depth beneath the earth, — 15 
where are iron gates and brazen threshold as far below Hades 
as heaven is from earth ; then he will know how much I am 
the most powerful of all the gods. And come, if you doubt of 
it, make trial, gods, that ye may all know, — hanging a golden 
chain from heaven ; and fasten yourselves to it, all ye gods, and 20 
all ye goddesses ; yet will ye not drag down Jove, the highest 
counsellor, from heaven to earth, not even if ye labour ever so 
much. But when I should choose to seriously draw, I could 
draw you, earth and all — sea and all 3 ; and then bind the chain 25 
round the pinnacle of Olympus, and all should be suspended in 
the air. So much am I above gods and above men." 

Thus he spake, and they were quietly all silent, wondering 
at the speech, for he spake very sternly; but at length the 
blue-eyed goddess Minerva said : 30 

" O son of Saturn, our father, highest of kings, well do we 
know that thy strength is invincible ; yet truly we mourn for 
the warlike Danaans, who will now perish, fulfilling their evil 
destiny. But however we will abstain from war, if thou com- 35 
mandest it ; and will only suggest counsel to the Argives — coun- 
sel which may be of service, that they may not all perish, be- 
cause thou art angry 4 ." 

And the cloud-collecting Jove, smiling, addressed her : " Take 
courage, Tritogeneia, my beloved child; I speak not with an 
hostile mind to thee, for I wish to be indulgent to thee." 40 

Thus saying, he yoked to his car swift-flying, brazen-footed 
horses, with golden manes 5 ; and himself put golden mail round 
his body, and took his well-made golden-lash, and ascended the 
car, and he flogged them to proceed ; and they, not unwilling, 45 
flew midway between the earth and the starry heaven. And 
he came to Ida of many fountains, mother of wild beasts, to 
Gargarus, where he had a shrine 6 and fragrant altar. There 
the father of gods and men stopped his horses, loosing them from 50 
the car, and threw a thick cloud around them. And he sat down 
upon the summits, exulting in glory, beholding the city of the 
Trojans, and the ships of the Achaean s. 

Meanwhile the long-haired Achasans hastily took their meals 
at the tents, and afterwards put on their armour. And, on the 
other side, the Trojans through the city armed, fewer in num- 5^ 

3 Along with earth itself— and sea itself. 

4 Thou being angry. s Maned — or haired — with golden manes. 

8 A consecrated spot— a grave and altar. Gargarus is one of the heights of Ida* 



128 ILIAD YIIL— V.56— 91. 

ber; but even thus were they eager to contend in battle, from 
strong necessity, for their wives and children. And all the 
gates were thrown open, and the people rushed out, both foot 
60 and horse, and a great tumult arose. And when meeting they 
now came into one place, they dashed together their shields, 
and spears, and the might of men, armed in brazen corselets : 
and their bossy shields were close to each other, and a great tu- 
mult arose. 

Then there was at once a groaning, and a shouting of men. 
65 of the killing and of the killed ; and the earth flowed with 
blood. As long as it wa,s morning, and the sacred day was in- 
creasing 7 so long weapons flew on both sides, and people fell : 
but when the sun was crossing the mid-heaven, then the Father 
held up his golden scales. And in them he placed two destinies 
~0 of eternal 8 death belonging to the Trojan chivalr3 r , and the 
brazen-mailed Achseans 9 , and sustained them, taking the beam 
by. the middle, and the fatal day of the Achaaaiis inclined. The 
destinies of the Achasans sunk upon the bountiful earth, but 
those of the Trojans mounted up to the broad heaven. 
75 And he himself loudly thundered from Ida, and sent the bla- 
zing flash among the people of the Achseans, and they, beholding 
it, were astounded, and pale terror seized upon all. Then 
neither Idomeneus ventured to remain, nor Agamemnon, nor 
did the two A jaxes remain, the servants of Mars ; and Gerene- 
BO an Nestor, a guardian of the Acheeans, alone remained, not wil- 
lingly 1 , but his horse was exhausted — that which the noble Al- 
exander, the husband of the fair-haired Helen, wounded with 
an arrow on the top 2 of the head, where the forelocks of horses 
85 grow upon the skull, and is especially fatal. With the pain 3 , he 
reared up, for the weapon penetrated into the brain : and he 
threw into disorder the horses along with him, rolling on the 
spear 4 . Whilst the old man, in haste, was cutting away the 
traces 5 of the horse with his sword, came the swift horses of 
90 Hector through the crowd, carrying Hector, their bold driver, 
and then would the old man have lost his life, had not the 

r i. e. from mom till noon. ' 8 Long reposing. 

» It is the fates of the chiefs only that is regarded. The T^ws; Invodaixci arc 
always the chiefs ; and the term Achseans applies, for the most part, exclusively 
to the chiefs, especially coupled with ^aXxo^iroJvS^. 

J Not wishing it. 2 On the highest summit. 

a oCkyritfag — being in pain. 

4 i.e. the spear which stuck in his brain — he is trying 1o shake it off. 

5 tfapyjopias, scil. ^via£. The wounded horse was a irapmgog — i, € . a thirc' 
horse, which went abreast with the other tuo. 



ILIAD VIIL— V. 92— 130. 129 

gallant Diomedes quickly perceived it, and shouted terribly, 
exhorting Ulysses : 

" Son of Laertes, Jove-sprung, wise Ulysses, whither dost thou 
fly, turning thy back 6 , like a coward, in the line ? Take care 95 
lest some one fix a spear in thy back whilst thou art flying 7 . 
But stay, that we may repulse that fxerce warrior from the old 
man." 

Thus he spake ; and the intrepid, noble Ulysses heard him 
not, and passed on in haste to the hollow ships of the Achseans. 
But Tydides, although alone, rushed among 8 the foremost com- 100 
batants, and stood before the horses of the aged son of Neleus, 
addressing him, said these winged words : 

" Oh ! old man, young warriors now press thee hard. For thy 
strength is relaxed, and cruel old age overtakes thee : and thy 
driver too is weak, and thy horses are slow. Come, then, ascend 105 
my car, that thou mayst see what the Trojan horses are, how 
fleetly 9 they come along the plain, hither and thither, chase or 
fly — the horses which, masters of speed, I lately took from 
Eneas. Those let our drivers attend to ; but these thou and I 110 
will direct against the Trojan chiefs, that Hector likewise may 
know whether my spear also rages in my hands 1 ." 

Thus he spake ; nor did the Gerenian chief, Nestor, refuse. 
Then the two drivers, brave Sthenelus, and good Eurymedon, 
took charge of Nestor's horses ; but themselves both mounted 
the car of Diomedes. And Nestor took the splendid reins in his 115 
hands, and lashed the horses ; and speedily were they close to 
Hector. And the son of Tydeus hurled his spear at him, as he 
came rushing straight on ; and however missed him ; but his 
attendant driver, Eniopeus, son of the brave Thebseus, holding 
the reins of the horses, he struck on the breast, near the pap. 
And he fell from the car, and the swift-footed horses started 120 
back; and there his life and strength were relaxed. Then 
deep sorrow clouded the soul of Hector for his charioteer; but 
he left him, although grieved for his comrade, there to lie; and 
sought for another bold driver ; nor were his horses long without 
a guide, for soon he found the brave Archeptolemus, the son of 125 
I phi t us, whom he caused to mount the swift-footed horses 2 , and 
gave the reins into his hands. 

Then there would have been destruction, and fatal 3 deeds 

130 

6 Throwing round thy back. » To thee flying. 8 Was mixed wjth 

9 To pursue. 1 ,-. e . lifce Hector's ewn. 



z i. e. of course, the car. 

3 <xpJX ava — w ^^ out » remedy. 



10 



130 ILIAD VIII.— V. 131— in. 

would have been done; and they (the Trojans) had now been 
penned up in Ilium, like lambs, had not the father of gods and 
of men quickly observed it ; and thundering fearfully, sent forth 

135 a blazing bolt, and cast it on the ground in front of the horses of 
Diomedes, and a terrible flame of burning sulphur arose. And 
the horses, trembling, slunk under the car, and the splendid 
reins dropped from the hands of Nestor ; and he feared in his 
heart, and addressed Diomedes : 

140 " Son of Tydeus, come, then, turn the solid-hoofed horses to 
flight. Knowest thou not that victory accompanies thee not 
from Jove ? For now to-day Jove, the son of Saturn, gives 
glory to him ; another time will he again to us, if he shall choose, 
give it : but man, not even the bravest, can by any means, con- 
trol the will of Jove, since he is much the more powerful." 

145 Then the gallant Diomedes replied : " Surely, old man, all 
these things thou say est rightly ; but this comes a bitter pang to 
my heart and soul, for Hector will say, haranguing among the 
Trojans : ' the son of Tydeus, routed by me, betook himself to 

150 the ships.' Thus will he boast ; and then may the wide earth 
gape for me." 

And him then the Gerenean chief, Nestor, answered : " Oh ! 
son of the warlike Tydeus, what hast thou said ? For even if 
Hector shall call thee cowardly and impotent, still the Trojans 

155 and Dardans will not believe it, nor the wives of the brave 
shielded Trojans — those whose young husbands thou hast hurled 
in the dust." 

Thus then having spoken, he turned the solid-hoofed horses 
to flight, back to the rout 4 ; and at them the Trojans and Hector, 

160 with a great clamour, threw their fatal 5 weapons. And the 
mighty-helmed Hector called aloud after him : 

" Son of Tydeus, the noble 6 Danaans honoured thee beyond 
others with precedence, with meats, and full cups ; but now they 
will no longer honour thee 7 , for thou art no better than a woman. 

165 Begone, timid girl, for thou shalt never ascend our towers by my 
retreat 8 , nor carry off our women in thy ships ; I will first give 
thee thy fate." 

Thus he spake ; and Tydides debated, whether to turn his 
horses and fight against him. Thrice did he hesitate in his 

170 mind and in his soul, and thrice, too, did Jove, the counsellor, 
thunder from the Idaean mountains, giving a sign to the Trojans 



4 i. e. When the rest were in the disorder of flight. 5 Groan-producing. 

6 i, e. men with fleet horses — the chiefs. 

7 Will not honour — will dishonour — will treat with contempt. 8 1 retreating. 



ILIAD VIII.— V. 172—213. 131 

of victory by his aid 9 in fight. And Hector encouraged the 
Trojans, shouting loud : 

11 Trojans and Lycians ; and close-fighting Dardans, be men, 
my friends, and remember your vigorous valour. For I know 175 
that the propitious son of Saturn grants 1 victory and great glory 
to me, and destruction to the Danaans. Fools, who have built 
these poor, worthless walls — these shall not check my might ; 
and my horses will easily overleap the dug ditch. But when 
now I am at the hollow ships, then let there be some recollection 180 
of blazing fire 2 , that I may burn up the ships with fire, and 
slaughter the Argives themselves at the ships, smothered in 
the smoke." 

Thus saying, he exhorted his horses, and said: "Xanthus, 
and thou Podargus, and JEthon, and noble Lampus, now requite 185 
me for the very great care, with which, Andromache, the 
daughter of the brave Eetion, gave the sweet barley to you, 
mixing also wine for you to drink, when thirst bade you — even 
before me, who boast to be her vigorous husband. And pursue 
and hasten, that we may seize Nestor's shield, the fame of 190 
which reaches to heaven, that it is all gold, both its handles and 
itself; and likewise strip from the shoulders of Diomedes the 
curiously wrought corselet, which Vulcan toiled to make. Could 
we but seize both these 3 , 1 should hope that the Achseans, this 195 
very night, would embark in their swift ships." 

Thus he spake, boasting; and imperial Juno was indignant, 
and she turned 4 in her throne, and made the huge Olympus 
tremble, and then addressed herself to Neptune, the mighty 200 
god: 

"O! strong earth-shaker, grieves not thy soul within thy 
bosom for the perishing Achaeans ? For they bring thee many 
and agreeable gifts to Helice and iEga? — do thou then desire 
victory for them. For if we, as many as are patrons of the 205 
Danaans, should desire to repel the Trojans, and oppose the far- 
sounding Jove, sitting there alone upon Ida, he might fret, iono 
purpose" 

And king Neptune, greatly indignant, replied : " Juno, rash 
in speech, what words hast thou spoken ! I would not myself 210 
desire that the rest of us should contend with Jove, the son of 
Saturn, for he is by far the most powerful." 

Such things thus spake they to one another. Meanwhile 5 the 

9 Victory an auxiliary of battle — i, e. a sign which betokened victory. See H. 
26. i Nodded — confirmed with a nod. 

2 i. e. remember and let me have fire-brands. 3 Nestor and Diomedes. 

* i. e. from impatience. 5 <rwv goes with fanuv and av(5^wv. 



182 ILIAD VIII.— V. 214—213. 

space, which the ditch belonging to the rampart separated from 

215 the ships, was filled at the same time with horses and shielded 
men crowded together ; for Hector, the son of Priam, equal to 
swift Mars, drove them thither, when Jove gave him glory. And 
now would he have consumed the good ships with blazing fire, 
had not imperial Juno put it into the heart of Agamemnon, him- 
self intent upon the object, forthwith to rouse up the Achseans 7 . 

220 And he hastened to the tents and ships of the Achaeans, holding 
in his strong hand a large purple flag 8 . And he stood upon the 
huge black ship of Ulysses, which was in the centre, that he 
might be heard 9 at both extremities — both at the tent of the 

225 Telamonian Ajax, and at that of Achilles, who had drawn ashore 
their good ships at the flanks, trusting to their valour and the 
strength of their hands. And he cried with a loud voice, ex- 
claiming to the Danaans : 

" For shame, ye Argives, base cowards, gallant in appearance 
only ; what has become of the boasts — when we said we were 

230 the bravest — which once in Lemnos, vapouring, ye uttered, 
whilst eating much flesh of horned cattle, and drinking goblets 
crowned with wine, that ye would stand in battle, each against 
a hundred or two of the Trojans ? But now we are not worth 

235 one Hector, who will soon burn our ships with blazing fire. O 
father Jove, whom of all-powerful kings, hast thou ever afflicted 
with such a calamity, or taken from him so great glory ? Never, 
I affirm, did I pass by thy splendid altars, in my many-benched 
ship,' unhappily coming hither 1 ; but upon all of them I burnt 

240 the fat and legs of oxen, expecting to destroy well-built Troy. 
Then, father Jove, accomplish this prayer at least for me ; suffer 
ourselves at all events to escape, and get away ; nor let the 
Achaeans be thus subdued by the Trojans. 

245 Thus he spake, and the father pitied him thus weeping, and 
consented that his people should be safe, and not perish. And 
forthwith he sent an eagle, the most perfect 2 of birds, holding in 
his talons a fawn, the young of a swift deer. And he dropped 

250 the fawn by the splendid altar of Jove, where the Achseans 
used to sacrifice to Jove, the source of all auguty. 

And they, when they saw that the bird had come from Jove, 

6 i. e. the space between the entrenchment and the ditch — owro compounds with 

7 »'. e. the troops which were at the ships and tents — between the sea and the 
rampart, 8 **. e. to draw attention — he was going to harangue. 

9 Speak so as to be heard, &c. l i. e. in my unlucky expedition to this place. 
2 ». e. with reference to augury — the most authentic — what gave the surest 
augury. 



ILIAD VIII.— V. 253—293. 133 

rushed the more upon the Trojans, and renewed 3 the combat. 
Then no one of the Danaans, numerous as they were, could 
boast that he, before Tydides, had started his fleet horses, and 255 
driven them over the ditch 4 , and fought against 5 tfie enemy ; for 
he far the first slew an armed warrior of the Trojans, Agelaus, 
son of Phradmon. He was turning his horses for flight ; but 
whilst he was turning 6 , Diomedes fixed the spear into his back 
between the shoulders, and it ran through his breast ; and he 
fell from his car, and his armour rattled on him. And after him 260 
came the two sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus ; and 
after them the Ajaxes, men of resolute vigour 7 ; and after them 
Idomeneus, and the comrade of Idomeneus, Meriones, equal to 
Mars, the slayer of men ; and after these Eurypylus, the re- 
nowned son of Evaemon. And Teucer came, ninth, stretching 265 
his bent bow ; and he stood behind the shield of the Telamonian 
Ajax. There Ajax held his shield before him ; and the hero 
( Teucer) looking round, when, shooting, he had struck any one 
in the ranks — he [the wounded man) falling there, lost his life, 270 
and he ( Teucer) returning again, like a child to its mother, — 
took shelter behind 8 Ajax ; and he covered him with his shining 
shield. 

There which of the Trojans first did the renowned Teucer 
slay ? First Orsilochus, and Ormenus, and Ophelestes, and 275 
Dastor, and Chromius, and godlike Lycophontes, and Hamapaon, 
son of Polyeemon, and Melanippus — all, one after the other, he 
stretched upon the bountiful earth. And the king of men, 
Agamemnon, was delighted, beholding him destroying the pha- 
lanxes of the Trojans with his strong bow ; and advancing, he 
stood by him, and addressed him in this speech : 280 

u Telamonian Teucer, my dear friend 9 , commander of men, 
thus strike if thou wouldst become an honour to the Danaans, 
and to thy father Telamon, who nourished thee when young 
and took care of thee in his own house, although a bastard ; him 
even far away as he is, do thou raise to glory. And I promise 1 285 
thee, and it shall be accomplished — if ever aegis-bearing Jove 
and Minerva grant me to sack the well-built town of Ilium, — 
into thy hands, first after myself, will I put some noble prize — 
a tripod, or two horses with their car, or a dame to ascend the 290 
same bed with thee." 

And renowned Teucer, answering him, said : " Most glorious 
strides, why urgest thou me. myself already eager ? For never, 

J Were mindful of. * i. e. back to the plain — the field of battle. 

5 Close — hand to hand. 6 But to him turned round. 

7 Clothed— endowed with. 8 Went under. 9 Dear head. l Tell thee. 



134 ILIAD VIII. —V. 294—336. 

as far as I am able 2 , do I remit — and ever since we have driven 

295 them back towards Ilium, do I take men off with my bow, sing- 
ling them out. Eight long-pointed arrows have I shot, and they 
have all stuck in the bodies of warlike youths ; but that mad 
dog I cannot strike." 

300 He said ; and another arrow from the string he shot right 
against Hector, and his soul was eager to strike him. And he 
missed him again ; but the noble Gorgythion, a brave son of 
Priam, on the breast he struck with the arrow — him in wedlock 
his mother bore, a lady of iEsymna, the beautiful Castianeira, 

305 like to the goddesses in form. And as a poppy hangs its head 
on one side, one in a garden weighed down with its fruit, and 
vernal showers — so he dropped his head on one side, weighed 
down with the helmet. And Teucer another arrow from the 

310 string shot right against Hector, and his soul desired to strike 
him \ and then again also he missed, for Apollo turned it aside ; 
but Archeptolemus, Hector's bold driver, whilst rushing on to 
battle, he struck upon the breast, near the pap. And he fell 
from the car, and back sprang the swift-footed horses ; and there 

315 his life and strength were relaxed 3 . And a sharp pang wrung 
Hector's heart, for his driver ; but him he then left, although 
afflicted for his comrade ; and bade his brother Cebriones, being 
near, take the reins of the horses ; and he, having heard the 

320 bidding, did not refuse. But Hector himself leaped from the 
shining car to the ground, shouting horribly ; and he seized a 
stone in his hand, and went straight at Teucer, and his mind 
impelled him to throw it 4 . 

Teucer, meanwhile, drew out a dire arrow from the quiver, 

325 and placed it upon the string ; and him, whilst drawing it back, 
the plumed Hector, upon the shoulder, where the collar-bone 
separates neck and breast, where it is most fatal — there, whilst 
taking aim at himself, with the rugged stone, struck. And it 
broke the string, and benumbed his hand at the wrist ; and he 

330 fell on his knees 5 , and the bow dropped from his hand. And 
Ajax was not unmindful of his fallen brother ; but running pro- 
tected him and covered him with his shield. Then his two chosen 
comrades, Mecisteus, son of Echius, and the noble Alastor, raising 

335 him up, bore him to the hollow ships, deeply groaning. 

But again the Olympian roused up the courage of the Tro- 



2 As much power as there is in me. 

3 ». e. body and soul released — set loose from the bonds which held them to- 
gether. 4 ». e. he put his whole soul in it. 
5 Stood, falling or resting upon his knees. 



ILIAD YIIL— V. 337—373. 135 

jans, and they drove back the Achseans straight to the deep 
ditch ; and Hector advanced among the foremost, raging in his 
might. And as when some dog, trusting in his swift feet 6 , seizes 
from 'behind the haunch or hips of a wild boar or a lion, and 340 
watches him turning round, so Hector pursued the long-haired 
Achaeans, ever killing the hindmost ; for they fled. And after 
they had crossed 7 the palisades and ditch 8 , flying, and many were 
subdued by the hands of the Trojans, they stopt, abiding at the 345 
ships 9 ; and encouraging each other, and lifting up their hands 
to all the gods, they prayed aloud each of them. And Hector 
drove his beautiful horses round on all sides, with the eyes of a 
Gorgon, or of Mars, destroyer of men. 350 

And the white-armed goddess Juno beholding them, pitied 
them, and immediately spoke winged words to Minerva : 

" Oh ! child of aegis-bearing Jove, shall we two no longer re- 
gard the perishing Danaans, although in the last extremity ? 
Fulfilling their evil destiny, they will perish by the violence of 
one man ; for Hector, son of Priam, rages in a manner no longer 355 
to be resisted 1 , and has already done much mischief." 

And the blue-eyed goddess Minerva addressed her in return : 
■* Long since would he have lost his life and strength, slain on 
his native soil, by the hands of the Argives ; but my father rages 
with an evil mind, — cruel, always unjust, an obstructor of all 3G0 
my efforts. Nor does he remember aught of those efforts, by 
which I very often preserved his son, when exhausted by the 
labours of Eurystheus. For he {Hercules) used to weep 2 to- 
wards heaven : and Jove sent me down from heaven to bring 365 
him aid. Therefore if I had known these things 3 in my resolute 
mind, when he sent him to strong-gated Hades, to bring away 
out of Erebus the dog of terrible Hades, he should not have es- 
caped over the deep streams of the Styx-water. And now he 
hates me, and accomplishes the counsels of Thetis, who em- 370 
braced his knees, and took him by the beard with her hand, 
intreating him to honour Achilles, the destroyer of cities. The 
time, however, will come 4 , when he will again call me his dear 

6 i. e. making use of his speed. 

7 By the roads which led to the gates — i. e. if there was more than one. See 
H. 340. 8 i. e. the ditch in which were the palisades. 

9 As being on that side of the ditch — but strictly, between the ditch and the 
rampart. i avSxTug — irresistibly. 

rjToi xXaistfxov — imperfect— expressive of a habit or practice. Minerva says 
she helped him fxaXa «7roXXaxj£ — very often. 

3 i. e. his obstruction of her present views. 

4 There will be however — sc. a time. 



136 ILIAD VIII.— Y. 374-411. 

Minerva. Yoke now then thy solid-hoofed horses for us, whilst 

375 I, entering the mansion of asgis-bearing Jove, put on my armour 
for the war, that I may see whether Priam's son, the plumed 
Hector, will be delighted, when we appear 5 in the field 6 of bat- 
tle. Truly some 7 of the Trojans with their fat and flesh will 

380 glut the dogs and birds, falling at the ships of the Achaeans." 

Thus she spake ; nor did the white-armed goddess Juno re- 
fuse. Then Juno, the elder goddess, daughter of the mighty 
Saturn, departing, harnessed the golden-reined horses ; and Mi- 
nerva, daughter of eegis-bearing Jove, upon the floor of her 

385 father's mansion, threw off the beautiful variegated robe, that 
which she herself had made, and worked with her own hands ; 
and putting on the tunic, with the weapons of cloud-collecting 
Jove, she armed herself for tearful battle. And into the flaming 

390 car she stept, and seized her spear, heavy, large, and strong, 
with which she subdues the ranks of heroes, with whom she, 
the offspring of a powerful father, is angry. And Juno quickly 
urged on the horses with the lash : and of their own accord 
grated 8 the gates of heaven, which the Hours kept, to whom 

395 are entrusted the mighty Heaven and Olympus, both to remove 
the dark cloud, and to replace it. Then, through these they 
drove the flogged horses. 

And when Jove, the father, from Ida beheld them, he was 
greatly enraged, and dispatched' the golden-winged Iris with a 
message 9 : — " Go, swift Iris, turn them back, nor allow them to 

400 go on ; for not well 1 shall we meet in battle. For thus I say, 
and it shall be accomplished : I will lame their swift horses for 
them, in 2 the car, and cast themselves from its seat, and dash the 
car itself in pieces ; nor for ten revolving 3 years will they be 

405 cured of the wounds which the thunderbolt will inflict 4 , that 
Minerva may know when she fights with her father 5 . With 
Juno I do not so much find fault, nor am I so angry with her, 
because she is ever wont to interfere with my designs." 

Thus he spake, and Iris, swift as the storm, hastened to de- 

410 liver the message; and went from the Idaean mountains to lofty 

Olympus ; and meeting them in the first gates 6 of the many- 

5 ffpocpavsifl'a — nom. absolute, where, in a more artificial construction, a dative 
would be employed. 

6 yscpupag — strictly, the place between two armies preparing for conflict. 

7 ns T^wwv — some one of ; but the phrase always involves plurality. 

8 i. e. flew open. 9 Announcing. l i. e. for them. 

2 Under — i. e. the yoke and pole of the car. 

3 Or revolved — i. e. complete years. 4 Hit — as a mark. 
5 i. e. that she is not his equal. 6 i. e. close to the gates. 






ILIAD VIIL— V. 412—446. 137 

valed Olympus, she stopped them, and delivered to them the 
command of Jove : 

" Whither hasten ye ? Why rage so your hearts in your "bo- 
soms ? The son of Saturn forbids 7 you to assist the Argives ; 
for thus threatens the son of Saturn — and 8 he will accomplish 415 
it — to lame your swift horses for you beneath the chariot and 
to cast yourselves from the seat, and to dash the car into pieces ; 
nor for ten revolving years will ye be cured of the wounds 
which the thunderbolt will inflict ; that thou, Minerva, mayst 420 
know when thou contendest with thy father. For Juno he does 
not so much blame, nor is he so angry with her, because she is 
ever wont to interfere with his designs. But thou, most inso- 
lent, and audacious dog 9 , wilt suffer for it, if thou shalt really 
dare to raise thy huge spear against Jove." 425 

Thus having spoken, the swift-footed Iris departed; And 
Juno addressed this speech to Minerva : 

" Alas ! child of segis-bearing Jove, I will no longer suffer us 
two to fight against Jove, for the sake of mortals. Of them let 
one perish, and another live, as each may chance ; and let him, 
prosecuting his own views, adjudge to the Trojans and Danaans, 430 
as it seems good to him 1 ." 

Thus having spoken she turned back the solid-hoofed horses. 
And the Hours loosed their beautiful horses for them, and fast- 
ened them up in their ambrosial stalls, and sent the chariot to- 
wards the shining walls. And they ( Juno and Minerva) them- 435 
selves sat down upon their golden thrones, mixed with the other 
gods, vexed at heart. 

And father Jove drove his fair-wheeled chariot and horses 
from Ida to Olympus, and came to the seats of the gods. And 
the illustrious earth-shaker 2 loosed his horses for him, and put 440 
the car in its place 3 , spreading it over with linen. And the far- 
sounding Jove himself sat down upon his golden throne, and 
mighty Olympus was shaken beneath his feet. But Minerva 
and Juno sat alone, apart from Jove, and neither spoke to him, 445 
nor asked a question ; and he knew in his mind the reason, and 
said : 

"i Suffers not. 8 Ziitzg is used in a conclusive sense, as often. 

D Helen, speaking of herself as the source of many evils and miseries, uses the 
same word, vi. 344. Iris addresses Minerva surely, though Heyne refers the 
words to Juno. \ 

1 Let him decide, for the Trojans and Achaeans, the things which he is^planning 
in his mind. 2 Neptune. 

3 a^/SwfXojtfi— for ava /3w^oiS. BwjxoS means not only an altar, but any 
raised placed upon which things were laid. 



138 ILIAD VIIL— V. 447—488. 

" Why are ye thus grieved, Minerva and Juno ? You have 
not laboured long at least in glorious fight, slaughtering the 
Trojans, — against whom ye have conceived a cruel hatred? 

45o Not at all — such is my strength and hands invincible — should 
they have turned me, as many gods as are in Olympus. Fear, 
however, seized the fair limbs of both of you before ye beheld 
the battle, or the sad deeds of war. For thus I tell you, and it 

455 would have been accomplished — not in your car should you, 
struck with the thunderbolt, have returned to Olympus, where 
is the seat of the immortals." 

Thus he spake, and Minerva and Juno murmured, who were 
sitting near each other, and planning evils against the Trojans. 
Minerva indeed was silent, nor said any thing, although enraged 

460 with father Jove, and fierce resentment possessed her : but Juno 
restrained not her indignation within her breast, but said : 

" Imperious son of Saturn, what speech hast thou uttered ? 
Well indeed do we also know that thy strength is indomitable : 
yet still are grieved for the warlike Danaans, who will now 

465 perish, fulfilling their evil destiny. But, however, we will ab- 
stain from war, if thou commandest ; and will only to the Argives 
suggest counsel, which may be useful, that they may not all 
perish, because thou art angry 4 ." 

And her the cloud-collecting Jove answering said : " In the 

470 morning, still more, shalt thou behold, if thou wilt, fair and noble 5 
Juno, the almighty son of Saturn destroying much of the army 
of the Argive warriors ; for the gallant Hector shall not cease 
from battle, before the swift-footed son of Peleus be roused at 

475 the ships, on that day when they shall fight at their sterns, 
within a very narrow compass 6 , for Patroclus slain. For thus is 
it decreed by fate : and thee, though angry, I regard not, not 
even if thou should st go 7 to the uttermost boundaries of the 
earth and sea, where Iapetus and Saturn, sitting, enjoy neither 

480 the beams of the rising sun, nor the winds, for deep Tartarus 
is on all sides. Not if thither, roaming, thou shouldst go, do I 
heed thee, though enraged ; for nothing is more impudent than 
thou." 

Thus he spake, and the white-armed Juno answered not. 

485 And the splendid light of the sun sunk in the ocean, dragging 
black night over the fruitful earth. On the unwilling Trojans 
set the sun 8 ; but to the Acha?ans, welcome, most desired, came 
black night on. 

4 Thou being angry. 

6 (3own$ 9 ffOTVicc. 6 The narrowest strait. 

7 ». e. to stir up a new rebellion against Jove. » Light. 






ILIAD VIE.— V. 489—530. 139 

And again the illustrious Hector called a council of the Tro- 
jans, leading them, apart from the ships 9 , by the eddying river, 490 
into an open space, where the ground appeared clear of dead. 
And alighting from their horses 1 on the ground, they listened 
to the speech, which Hector, beloved of Jove, uttered. And in 
his hand he held a spear eleven cubits long ; and before him 
shone the brazen point of the spear, and a golden ring ran 495 
round it. Leaning upon this, he made a speech to the Trojans : 

" Hear me, Trojans, Dardans, and allies. I did now hope that, 
destroying the ships and all the Achaeans, I should return back 
to windy Troy : but darkness has first 2 come on, which mainly 500 
now has saved the Argives, and their ships on the shore of the 
sea. Let us now, however, yield to black night, and get our 
supper ; and loose ye your beautiful horses from the cars, and 
throw their food beside them. Bring also, with speed, from the 505 
city, oxen and fat sheep, procure good wine, and bread from 
your houses, and collect plenty of wood 3 , that all night, until the 
dawn of morn 4 , we may burn many fires, and the blaze may 
reach to heaven; lest the long-haired Achaeans, even in the 
night, endeavour to fly over the broad backs of the sea. Let 510 
them not, without trouble at least, go quietly on board their 
ships ; but let us take care that some of them may dress their 
wounds, even at home, struck with an arrow, or sharp spear, 
whilst springing into their ships — so that others may be afraid to 515 
wage tearful war with the Trojans, tamers of horses. And let 
heralds, beloved of Jove, announce through the city, that the 
boys at the age of puberty, and hoary-templed old men, keep 
guard 5 in the city upon the heaven-built towers ; and let the 
young 6 women also light a great fire, each in their own halls ; 520 
and let there be a sure watch, lest troops enter the city whilst 
the army is absent 7 . Thus let it be, brave Trojans, as 1 advise. 
Let the orders, which are useful for the present, be thus given; 
and other orders in the morning I will give in the midst of the 525 
Trojan chiefs 8 . I hope — praying to Jove and the other gods — 
to drive hence the fate-led dogs, whom the destinies bring in 
their dark ships. Let us, however, take care of ourselves 
during the night ; and in the morning, with the dawn, girt in 530 

9 i. e. from the ditch and rampart — which protected the ships. l Cars. 

2 i. e. too soon. 3 Much wood. 4 Morn-born Aurora. 

5 Place themselves — i. e. for the purpose of keeping guard. 

6 SijXuts^ch. 7 The people being absent. 

s Let the speech, which is now useful — be thus said — that (the speech) of the 
morning, I will speak, &c. i. e. This is enough for the present — in the morning 
I will speak further, when I hope, &c. 



140 ILIAD VIII.— V. 531—561. 

arms, we will rouse up fierce battle at the hollow ships. I will 
know whether Diomedes, the hold son of Tydeus, will drive 
back me from the ships to the wall ; or whether I, having sub- 
dued him with my spear, shall bear off his bloody spoils. To- 

335 morrow will make his valour quite manifest, if he await my 
spear coming upon him ; and I think that by sunrise to-morrow 9 
he will lie wounded among the first, and many comrades round 
him. Would that I were as surely immortal, and as exempt 
from old age all my days, and honoured as Minerva is honoured, 

540 and Apollo, as now the coming day brings evil upon the Argives." 

So Hector spake, and the Trojans shouted in approbation. 

And they loosed their sweating horses from the yoke, and fastened 

them by the reins, each beside his own car. And they brought 

545 in haste from the city oxen and fat sheep, and procured good 
wine and bread from their houses, and besides gathered much 
wood. And the winds bore the odour from the plain up to 
heaven. 

And they, greatly elated, sat all night on the field of battle 1 ; 

550 and many fires burned by them. And as when in heaven the 
beauteous stars appear round the bright moon, when the air is 
breathless, and all the hills and lofty summits and forests are 
visible ; and in the sky the boundless ether opens 2 , and all the 

^5 stars are seen, and the shepherd is delighted in his soul ; so 
numerous, between the ships and the streams of Xanthus, ap- 
peared the fires of the Trojans, burning in front of Ilium. A 
thousand fires burned upon the plain, and beside each sat fifty 

^60 in the light of the blazing fire. And the horses, eating white 
barley and oats, standing beside their cars, awaited the fair- 
throned Aurora 3 . 

9 The sun rising to-morrow. 

1 The bridge of war — the space strictly between the two armies drawn up in 
battle array. 2 Bursts or breaks. 3 Morning. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER. 



BOOK IX. 



ARGUMENT. 

By advice of Nestor, Agamemnon sends Ulysses, Phoenix and Ajax, to the tent 
of Achilles with proposals of reconciliation. They execute their commission, 
but without effect. Phoenix remains with Achilles ; Ulysses and Ajax return. 

Thus the Trojans kept their watches; but Flight 1 divine, 
the companion of chill Fear, possessed the Achseans ; and all the 
chiefs were afflicted with intolerable grief. And as two winds, 
Boreas and Zephyrus, which 2 both blow from Thrace, rouse the 5 
fishy deep, coming suddenly upon it ; and the black waves swell 
together, and dash much sea-weed out of the sea ; thus was the 
soul of the Achseans distracted within their bosoms. 

Then Atrides, struck to the heart with much sorrow, went 
about giving orders to the loud-tongued 3 heralds, to invite each 10 
man 4 by name 5 to a council, but not to call aloud : and he him- 
self laboured among the nearest 6 . And they sat in council, 
grieved, and Agamemnon arose, shedding tears, like a black 
fountain 7 , which pours its dark water from a lofty rock. Thus 15 
he, sighing deeply, addressed the Argives 8 : 

i SrsCffSffr/]. The word is applied to any very high or extraordinary degree of 
the thing it qualifies — a strong or strange desire of flight seized the frightened 
Achseans. 2 toj t£ — precisely equivalent to w pa. 

3 A standing epithet for heralds — occurring very unluckily on the present occa- 
sion. 

4 i. e. of the chiefs — for a council is to be held — not a general assembly of the 
army. 5 Or rather, by speaking to each of them individually. 

6 The first — i. e. the chiefs who were nearest. Agamemnon himself summoned 
them to council. 

7 Of black water — a frequent epithet for water, clear and deep. 

8 Addressed words to the Argives. 



142 ILIAD IX.— V. 17—57. 

" My friends, leaders and counsellors of the Argives ; Jupiter, 
the son of Saturn, has entangled me in a very grievous calamity 

20 — cruel, who once promised me, and confirmed that promise with 
a nod 9 , that I, having destroyed the well-built Ilium should re- 
turn home. But now he has planned a sad deception, and orders 
me inglorious to repair to Argos, when I have lost many troops. 
Thus seems it to be agreeable to almighty Jove, who has already 

25 overthrown the heights of many cities, and will still overthrow 
more, for his power is greatest 1 . Come, then, let us all obey as 
I advise ; let us fly with the ships to our dear native land ; for 
we shall never take wide-streeted Troy/' 7 

Thus he spake, and they were all silent ; quiet in silence ; 

30 and long dumb were the saddened sons of the Achaeans : but at 
length the gallant Diomedes spake : 

" Son of Atreus, first 2 1 will defend myself against thy recent 

attack, as far, O King, as is proper, in the council ; and be not 

_ thou at all offended. In the presence of the Danaans didst thou 

35 first disparage my courage, by saying, that I was unwarlike, and 
feeble ; and all this, both the young and old of the Argives know. 
To thee, however, has the son of wily Saturn given diversely 
— in the sceptre he has given thee to be honoured above all ; 

t0 but valour he has not given ; though bravery is greatest 3 . Sir, 

dost thou then really believe that the sons of the Achaeans are 

unwarlike and destitute of courage, as thou sayest ? Then if 

thy spirit impels thee to return, go — the way lies open to thee, 

w and close to the sea stand thy ships, which followed thee from 

& Mycene very many. But the other long-haired Achaeans will 
remain till we overthrow Troy ; and if they also choose, let them 
fly with the ships to their loved native land ; and we two, I and 
Sthenelus, will fight, until we find an end of Troy ; for with a 
god we came 4 ." 

; >0 Thus he spake ; and all the sons of the Achaeans shouted, ad- 
miring the speech of Diomedes, tamer of horses. And the 
chief, Nestor, rising, addressed them : 

" Son of Tydeus. above all otliers art thou brave in- battle, 

10 and in council, best among all thine equals. No one of all the 
Achaeans 5 will blame thy speech, nor speak against it ; but thou 
hast not gone to the end of the matter 6 . Thou art very young, 



9 And nodded. l The same speech, up to this word, occurs B. Ill — 1 18. 

2 Literally — fight with you, unworthily addressing me. 3 Best gift. 

4 i. e. under the auspices of the gods. 5 As many Greeks as are. 

e Thou hast not come to the end of words (or thoughts) — i. e. you have not 
said all that ought to be said — or, you have not come to the ultimate object of 



ILIAD IX.— V. 58—96. 143 

and mightest be even my youngest son ; but wisely thou ad- 
dressest kings of the Argives, for thou hast spoken with pro- 60 
priety. Come, then, I, who can boast of being older than thou, 
will speak out, and go through the whole matter 7 ; nor will any 
one, not even the king Agamemnon, treat my speech with con- 
tempt. Tribeless, lawless, homeless 8 , is he, who delights in 
horrid, intestine war. Let us now then obey black night, and 65 
get our suppers ; and let the guards be stationed each along the 
dug ditch, outside the rampart 9 . These orders I give to the 
youths : but next, Atrides, begin thou, for thou art supreme. 
Give a feast to the elders; it becomes thee, and is by no means 70 
improper. Thy tents are full of wine, which the ships of the 
Achceans daily bring over the wide sea from Thrace. With 
thee is every accommodation 1 , and thou commandest many. 
Then, when many are assembled, thou wilt be advised by him 
who offers the best advice ; for there is need greatly to all the 
Acha?ans of good and prudent counsel, since the enemies are 75 
burning many tires near the ships : and who can rejoice at that ? 
For this night will either destroy, or preserve the army 2 ." 

Thus he spake ; and they heard him attentively, and were 
persuaded. And the guards rushed forth with their arms, 80 
namely, Thrasymedes 3 , son of Nestor, shepherd of the people, 
and Ascalaphus and Ialmenus 4 , sons of Mars, and Meriones, and 
Aphareus, and Deipyrus, and the son of Creion, the noble Ly- 
comedes. Seven commanders were there of the guards, and 85 
an hundred youths marched along with each, having long spears 
in their hands. And proceeding to the space between the ditch 
and the wall, they sat down, and there kindled a fire, and pre- 
pared each his supper. 

But Atrides conducted the assembled elders of the Achseans 
to his tent, and placed before them a refreshing feast ; and they 90 
stretched forth their hands to the prepared victuals, which lay 
before them. And when they had removed the desire of eating 
and drinking, the aged Nestor, whose advice had before also ap- 
peared best, first of all, began to unfold his plan 5 . He harangued 95 
them with prudence, and said : 

<qpeech — something practical. Though you advise us to prosecute the war, you 
do not point out the means. 

7 Will do that which you have omitted. 

8 Fit for none of the relations of civilized life. 

9 i. e. between the ditch and rampart. Compare line 87 below. 

1 Or rather, perhaps, you have abundance of provision — and numerous attendants- 

8 i. e. on the counsels of this night will depend the fate of the army. 

8 Those about Thrasymedes, &c. * B. 512. 6 To weave a counsel- 



144 ILIAD IX.- V. 97—136. 

" Atrides, most glorious, king of men, Agamemnon, with thee 
shall I finish, and with thee shall I begin : for thou art king of 
many nations, and in thy hands has Jove placed both the sceptre 
and the laws, that thou mightest consult for them. Therefore 

100 it behoves thee above all others both to deliver an opinion, and 
to hear one ; and also to carry into effect the advice of another, 
when his spirit prompts him to say what is useful 6 ; for it will 
depend upon thee 7 what shall finally rule 8 . And therefore I 
will speak as appears to me to be best. For no other person 

105 will devise a better device than that which I devise, both before 
and even now again — from the time when thou, O nobly-born, 
didst go and take away the maiden Brisei's from the tent of the 
enraged Achilles— by no means according to my mind ; for very 

110 much did I dissuade thee. But, yielding to thy haughty pas- 
sions, the bravest hero, whom the immortals ever honoured, thou 
didst insult ; for thou hast taken away his prize, and holdest it. 
Let us, however, again consider how we may reconcile him — 
gratifying him with soothing gifts and gentle words." 

And the king of men, Agamemnon, in reply addressed him : 

115 "Thou hast uttered no falsehood, old man, with respect to my 
fault. I have erred, nor do I myself deny it. The man is in- 
deed worth many troops, — he whom Jove loves in his heart, 
as he has honoured this, and subdued the people of AchaBans. 

120 But as I have erred, yielding to my destructive rage, I desire to 
appease him again, and to give him invaluable presents. And 
before you all I will enumerate the noble gifts : seven tripods, 
which have not touched the fire 9 , and ten talents of gold, and 
twenty bright kettles, and twelve strong steeds, victorious in 
the race, which have borne off prizes by their speed 1 . The 

125 man would not be poor, nor unpossessed of precious gold, with 
whom there were as many prizes as these solid-hoofed horses 
have brought in to me. I will likewise give seven women, 
skilful in superior works — Lesbians, whom, when he himself 
took the well-inhabited Lesbos, 1 selected, and who excel wo- 

130 man-kind 2 in beauty. These will I give him, and with them 
shall be the daughter of Briseus, whom I took from him ; and I 
will add a great oath, that I never ascended her bed, nor em- 
braced her, as is the custom of mortals— of men and women. 

135 All these shall be his forthwith ; and if the gods hereafter grant 
us to sack the vast city of Priam, let him fill his ships with 

6 For good. 7 *. e. nothing can be done without thy sanction. 

8 i. e. shall prevail, or be determined upon. 

9 Fireless — perhaps not destined for the fire — but for nobler, or ornamental 
pnrposps. ' With their feet. 2 The races of women. 



ILIAD IX.— V. 137— 176. Uo 

abundance of gold and brass, coming when we Achseans divide 
the spoil. And let himself choose twenty Trojan women, who, 
next to Argive Helen, may be the fairest. And if we shall 140 
reach Acha?an Argos, the richest of lands 3 , he shall be my son- 
in-law ; and I will honour him equally with Orestes, who, my 
only son, is brought up in much luxury 4 . For I have three 
daughters in my well-built palace, Chrysothemis, and Laodice, 145 
and Iphianassa — of these the beloved one, which he pleases, let 
him take, unbought 5 , to the house of Peleus ; and I will give 
very many nuptial gifts, so many as no man ever yet gave his 
daughter. I will besides give him seven well-inhabited cities, 150 
Cardamyle and Enope, and grassy Hira, and the glorious Pherae, 
and Antheia with deep pastures, and the fair iEpeia, and the 
vine-bearing Pedasus — and all near the sea, situated close to 
sandy Pylus. And in all them dwell men abounding in flocks 
and rich in cattle, who will honour him, like a god, with gifts, 155 
and subject to his rule 6 , pay him rich tributes. These things 
will I do for him, should he cease from his anger. Let him be 
prevailed upon. Pluto indeed is implacable and inexorable ; 
and on that account is he with men the most hateful of all the 160 
gods. Let him likewise submit to me, because I am a greater 
king, and because I am 7 older than ke," 

Him then the Gerenian chief, Nestor answered : " Son of 
Atreus, most glorious, king of men, Agamemnon, thou dost offer 
gifts by no means despicable to king Achilles. Come then, let 
us urge chosen men, who may go with all speed to the tent of 165 
Achilles, son of Peleus. And come, if thou wilt, these I will 
select, and let them obey. First of all, let Phoenix, beloved of 
Jove, be the leader, and next the mighty Ajax and noble Ulysses : 
and of the heralds, let Hodius and Eurybates accompany them. 17*0 
Now bring water for our hands, and command silence 8 , that we 
may pray to Jove, the son of Saturn, that he may have pity on 
us 9 ." 

Thus he spake and gave advice 1 agreeable to all. Forthwith 
heralds poured water upon their hands, and the attendants 
crowned the bowls with wine 2 ; and then handed the wine to 175 
all, from right to left, in cups. And when they had poured out 

3 The udder of arable land, or the fruitful source of arable produce. 

4 Or in the midst of abundance. 

5 In the heroic time.-, the suitor bought his bride — the tables are now turned, 
iiid the lady buys her husband. 6 Under his sceptre. 

7 Boast to be — but boast is almost always too strong a term for Si^ofxcj. 

8 And order to keep a good voice. 

9 i. e. and bend the obstinacy of Achilles. i Spake a word. 2 With drink. 

11 



146 ILIAD IX.— Y. 177—215. 

libations and drunk as much as appetite required 3 , they departed 
from the tent of Agamemnon, son of Atreus. And them (the 
180 deputation) the Gerenian chief, Nestor, enjoined much, turning 
his eyes upon each, but particularly on Ulysses, that they should 
strive to persuade the illustrious son of Peleus. 

And they went along the shore of the loud sounding sea, 
offering very many petitions to the earth shaker, to the com- 
passer of earth, that they might persuade with ease the high 
1S5 spirit of iEacides. And they came to the tents and ships of the 
Myrmidons ; and found him delighting his soul with his sweet 
lyre, — beautiful, curiously wrought, and the neck 4 of it was 
silver. This he had taken among the spoils, when he destroyed 
190 Eetion's city ; with this he was amusing himself and singing the 
glories of heroes. And Patroclus sat opposite to him in silence, 
alone, attentive to iEacides, till he should cease singing 5 . And 
they went onward, and the noble Ulysses led the way, and stood 
before him ; and Achilles, surprised, leaped up, with his lyre, 
quitting the seat where he had been sitting. And in like man- 
195 ner Patroclus, when he beheld the heroes, arose ; and the swift- 
footed Achilles receiving them, thus addressed them : 

"Welcome, whether ye come as friends, or whether there be 
some great necessity— ye are the dearest of the Achseans to me, 
though much enraged." 

Thus having spoken, the noble Achilles led them forward, 
200 and seated them upon couches and scarlet carpets ; and imme- 
diately said to Patroclus, who was near : " Set a larger bowl, son 
of Mencetius, and mix more generous wine, and make ready a 
cup for each, for men most dear to me are new beneath my roof." 
205 Thus he spake ; and Patroclus obeyed his loved comrade. 
And he (Achilles) placed within the radiance of the fire 6 a large 
block 7 , and laid upon it the fore-quarters of a sheep and a fat 
goat, and the hind quarters of a feel-hog, very fat. And Auto- 
medon held them for him ; and the noble Achilles cut them 
up ; and divided them well into small pieces, and transfixed 
210 them with spits ; and Mencetiades, a hero resembling a god, 
lighted up the large fire. And when the fire had burned down, 
and the flame grown languid, strewing the embers, he stretched 
the spits over them, and sprinkled the joints with sacred salt, 
lifting them upon the racks. And when he had roasted them, 
15 and put 8 them upon dishes, Patroclus taking bread, placed it upon 

3 The mind impelled. 4 Or handle. 5 i. e. whilst, or as long as he sang, 

6 i. e. near the blaze of the fire — for the sake of the light probably. 

7 Or a table of some kind for the purpose. 

9 Poured — i. e. took them from the spits and laid them on a table. 



ILIAD IX.— V. 216—255. UT 

the table in handsome trenchers ; but Achilles distributed the 
meat. And he himself sat opposite to the noble Ulysses, against 
the other wall, and charged Patroclus, his comrade, to sacrifice 
to the gods ; and he cast morsels into the lire 9 . And they 220 
stretched forth their hands to the prepared food, which lay be- 
fore them. And when they had taken away the desire of 
eating and drinking, Ajax nodded to Phcenix : and noble Ulysses 
observed, and having filled his goblet with wine, pledged 
Achilles : 

" Your health, Achilles. Not in want of a full feast are we, 225 
either in the tent of Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, or here also 
now ; for we have abundance of dainties 1 to eat; but the works 
of the pleasant feast are not our present care. For, noble 
Achilles, seeing a great disaster, we greatly dread it ; for it is 
doubtful 2 , whether we shall save or lose our well benched ships, 230 
unless thou shall put on thy might. For near the ships and 
rampart their posts have the bold Trojans fixed, and allies, sum- 
moned from afar, kindling numerous fires in their army; and 
they affirm, they shall no longer be prevented from attacking 
the black ships 3 . And for them Jove, the son of Saturn, ex- 235 
hibiting propitious signs, darts his lightning; and Hector, 
exulting in his valour, rages terribly, trusting in Jove, nor 
reverences at all either men or gods, for great fury has tntered 
into him. He prays that the divine morn would speedily come. 240 
For he threatens to cut off" the prows of the ships, and burn the 
ships themselves with destructive fire, and slaughter the Achse- 
ans beside them, smothered in the smoke. These things do I 
greatly fear in my mind, lest the gods fulfil his threats, and it 245 
be destined for us to perish in Troy, far from fertile 4 Argos. 
Rise 5 then, if thou ever intendest, although late, to rescue the 
sons of the Achseans harassed by the conflict of the Trojans. To 
thyself it will hereafter be cause of sorrow, nor it is possible to 
find a remedy for an evil done 6 ; therefore reflect well before 250 
hand, how thou mayest repel the evil day from the Danaans. O 
my friend, thy father Peleus charged thee, on that day when he 
sent thee from Phthia to Agamemnon, e My son, Minerva and 
Juno will bestow victory, if they choose ; but restrain thou the 
haughty spirit within thy breast, for gentleness is preferable ; 255 



9 As an offering to the gods. 

1 There are with us many refreshing things — invigorating — wholesome. 

a In doubt. 

3 And say that they cannot be resisted, but will charge upon the black ships. 

* Horse-feeding. 5 But up» 6 i. e. there is no undoing it. 



148 ILIAD IX.— V. 256—302. 

and abstain from contention, the origin of ills, that both young 
and old of the Argives may honour thee the more." 

" Thus did the old man enjoin thee ; but thou art forgetful. 

260 Yet even now desist, and lay aside thy bitter resentment. And 
Agamemnon will give gifts worthy of thee 7 , shouldst thou cease 
from thine indignation. If then thou wilt, listen to me, and I 
will repeat to thee how many presents in his tents Agamemnon 
hath promised thee : seven tripods, which have not touched the 

265 fire, and ten talents of gold, and twenty bright kettles, and 
twelve strong steeds, victorious in the race, which have borne 
off prizes by their speed. The man would not be poor, nor un- 
possessed of precious gold, who should have as many prizes, as 
the horses of Agamemnon have borne off by their speed. And 

270 he will give seven women, skilful in superior works — Lesbians, 
whom, when thou didst thyself take the well-inhabited Lesbos, 
he selected, and who then excelled all woman-kind in beauty. 
These will he give thee, and with them will be the daughter of 
Briseus, whom he then took away ; and he will swear a mighty 

275 oath, that he never ascended her bed, nor embraced her, as is 
the custom, O king, both of men and women. All these shall 
be thine forthwith ; and if the gods hereafter grant us to sack 
the vast city of Priam, he says, that thou mayst till thy ships 

280 with Sundance of gold and brass, coming, when we Achaeans 
divide the spoil ; and that thou mayst also choose twenty Trojan 
women, who next to Argive Helen, are the fairest. And if ever 
we reach Achaean Argos, the richest of lands, thou shalt become 
his son-in-law, and he will honour thee equally with Orestes, his 

285 only son, who is brought up in much splendour. For he* has 
three daughters in his well-constructed palace, Chrysothemis, 
Laodice, and Iphianassa — of these, he says, thou shalt conduct 
the beloved one, whichever thou wilt choose, unbought, to the 

290 house of Peleus ; and he will give very many nuptial presents, 
so many as no man ever yet gave his daughter. He will besides 
give thee seven well-inhabited cities, Cardamyle, and Enope, 
and grassy Hira, and the glorious Phera?, and Antheia with deep 
pastures, and the fair iEpeia, and the viny Pedasus; and all 

295 near the sea, situated close to the sandy Pylus. And in them 
dwell men abounding in flocks and rich in cattle, who will 
honour thee, like a god, with gifts, and, subject to thy rule, pay 
thee rich tributes. These things will he do for thee, shouldest 

300 thou cease from thine anger. But if the son of Atreus himself 
and his gifts be more hateful to thee in thine heart ; still have 
pity upon all the other Achaeans, harassed throughout the army, 

' Gives to thee, ceasing from anger, worthy gifts. 



ILIAD IX.— Y. 303—343. 149 

Who will honour thee as a god ; for surely thou wilt obtain very 
great glory among them. And now mightest thou slay Hector. 
— since he has come very near thee, with a destructive fury, — 
for he declares that no one is equal to him of the Danaans, 305 
whom the ships have conveyed hither 8 . 

And him, answering, the swift-footed Achilles addressed: 
•■ Most noble son of Laertes, Ulysses ever ready, it behooves me 
to speak my sentiments frankly — as 1 think, and as it shall be 310 
done — that ye may not, sitting beside me, trouble me one after 
another. For hateful to me as the gates of Hades is he, who 
conceals one thing in his mind, and utters another. And I will 
speak as it shalJ also be done — me then neither Agamemnon, 
son of Atreus, I think, nor the rest of the Danaans, will per- 315 
suade 9 , since there are no thanks here for fighting eternally 
with hostile men. Equal is the share of him who abides in his 
tent, and of him who fights much : and in equal honour is the 
coward and the brave. The man who does nothing, and he who 320 
does much dies alike ; nor have I more than others, because I 
surfer sorrows in my soul, in ever exposing my life in combat- 
ing 1 . And as a bird brings food to her unfledged young when 
she finds it, although it fares ill with herself: so also have I 
spent many sleepless nights, and gone through bloody days in 325 
combat, fighting with heroes for the sake of their wives 2 . 
Twelve cities have 1 stript of their men with my ships, and on 
foot, I say, eleven in fertile Troy 3 . From all these have I car- 
ried off many and precious treasures, and bringing them, have 330 
given all to Agamemnon, the son of Atreus ; and he remaining 
behind at the swift ships, receiving them, distributed a few, and 
retained many, and gave other prizes to the chiefs and kings'. 
To them they remained undisturbed : and from me alone of the 
Achasans has he taken mine away, and keeps my sweet mistress 335 
— let him, with her indulging, enjoy himself 4 . But why need 
the Argives wa^e War with the Trojans ? Or for what did 
Atrides, assembling an army, lead it hither? Was it not on ac- 
count of the fair-haired Helen ? What, do the sons of Atreus 340 
alone of men 5 love their wives? No: for every good and 
rational man loves, and takes care of his own spouse ; so I also 
loved her from my soul, though a captive in war 6 . And now 

8 i. e. as Achilles no longer mingled in the battle. 9 i. e. to fight agatn. 

1 i. e. on account of my greater toils and dangers. 

- tnpSTSgtt&W — for their wives — meaning specifically, the wife of Menelaus. 

3 In different parts of the country, of which Troy was the capital. 

4 Threateningly — as if he added — but it shall be his destruction. 

5 jxEPOffwv. A. 250. e Though acquired by the spear. 



150 ILIAD IX.— V. 344—383. 

since he hath snatched my prize from my hands, and cheated 

345 me, let him not tempt me, who know him so well 7 , for he will 
not persuade me. But, Ulysses, let him contrive with thee, and 
the other kings, how to repel hostile fire from the ships. Truly 
he has accomplished many labours without me. He has even 
built a rampart, and dug a ditch broad and large beside it ; and 

350 fixed in it palisades : but not even thus can he control the might 
of Hector the slayer of men. For whilst I fought amongst the 
Achseans, Hector chose not to rouse the battle at a distance from 
the town, but came as far only as the Sceean gates and the beech 

355 tree. There once he awaited me alone, and with difficulty es- 
caped my onset. And now since I choose not to combat with 
the noble Hector — to-morrow, when I have sacrificed to Jove 
and all the gods, and, well-lading my vessels, I have dragged 
them down to the sea — thou shalt behold, if thou wilt, and if 

360 such things be a care to thee, very early in the morn, sailing 
upon the fishy Hellespont, my ships, and in them men eager for 
rowing. And if glorious Neptune grant but a prosperous voy- 
age, on the third day I shall reach fertile Phthia. And I have 
there very many possessions, which I left, coming unauspiciously 

365 hither. And the rest of the gold and ruddy brass, and charming 8 
women, and bright iron, which have fallen to my lot, I shall 
carry iience; but the reward which he gave, king Agamemnon, 
son of Atreus, has himself taken insultingly 9 back from me. To 

370 him report all, as I charge you, publicly, that other Achasans 
also may be indignant, if he, ever clothed in impudence, still 
hopes to cheat any of the Danaans; nor he dare, audacious 
though he be, to look in my face 1 . I will neither join counsel 

375 nor deed with him ; for he has already cheated and wronged me, 
nor shall he again delude me with words. For once is enough 
for him 2 , and let him go quietly 3 to Hades, for provident Jove 
has well deprived him of his senses. Detestable are his gift! 
to me, and himself I honour not the value of a hair. Not if he 

380 gave me ten and twenty times as much as now is his, or ever 
hereafter may be 4 ; nor as many treasures as go to Orchomenos, 
or to Egyptian Thebes, where the most numerous are laid up in 
mansions, and whose gates are a hundred, and from each go out 

7 Well knowing. 

8 Well as to zones — apparently, used, delicately, for beautiful or swelling bosoms... 

9 Being insolent. 

1 Nor let him dare, though dog-like, to look upon the countenance to me. 

2 i. e. to ill-treat me, and escape with impunity. 

3 i. e. for me — I have nothing more to do with him. 

4 Both them and others, from whatever quarter they come. 



ILIAD IX.— V. 385—427. 151 

two hundred men with horses and cars. Nor if he were to give 385 
me as many as are the sand and the dust, — not even thus shall 
Agamemnon again bend my spirit, until he indemnify me for 
all his bitter insults. Nor will I wed the daughter of Agamem- 
non, son of Atreus, not if she rival in beauty the golden Venus, 
or be equal in accomplishments to the blue-eyed Minerva, not 390 
even thus will I wed her. But let him select another of the 
Achaaans, who may suit him, and who is a greater king for if 
the gods preserve me, and I reach home, then will Peleus him- 
self doubtless bestow upon me a lady in marriage. Many are *395 
the Achaean women in Hellas and Phthia, daughters of the 
chiefs, who defend their cities. Of these, whichever I choose, 
I will make my beloved wife ; and there my noble spirit very 
much urges me to wed a wife 5 , a fit partner of my bed, to enjoy 
the possessions which aged Peleus has acquired. For not worth 400 
my life are all the treasures which, they say the populous city 
Ilium possessed, whilst formerly at peace, before the sons of the 
Achaeans arrived; nor all which the stony threshold of the 
archer Phoebus Apollo contains within it, in rocky Pytho. Be- 405 
sides oxen and fat sheep may be procured by plunder; and 
tripods be acquired, and the yellow heads 6 of horses ; but the 
breath of man, to return again, is not to be obtained by plunder 
nor by purchase, when once it has past the barrier of his teeth. 
For the goddess, my mother, the silver-footed Thetis, declares, 410 
that double destinies lead me to the end of death. If, on the 
one hand, remaining here, I wage war around the city of the 
Trojans, my return is cut off 7 , but my glory shall be immortal ; 
and if, on the other, I return home to my loved native land, the 415 
prize of glory is lost to me, but my life will be long, nor will 
the end of death speedily overtake me. And the rest of you 
also would I advise to sail home, for no longer will ye find the 
destruction of lofty Ilium; for the far-sounding Jove has 
stretched over it his hand, and the people have taken courage. 420 
Do ye then, departing, bear back this message to the chiefs of 
the Achaeans — for such is the office of ambassadors — that they 
may devise within their minds some other better plan, which 
may preserve for them their ships, and the army of the Achae- 
ans in the hollow barks ; since this, which they have now planned 425 
is not practicable 8 , while my anger continues. But let Phoenix 
sleep here, remaining with us ; that to-morrow he may accompany 



5 (jlv7]1 , t>]v akoyov — i. e. a wife — aXo^oj is a bed-fellow — a mistress. 

6 i. e. horses with yellow manes — bright bays, or chesnuts. 

7 Perishes. 8 Ready. 






152 ILIAD IX.— V. 428-470. 

me in the ships to my dear native land, if he will ; though I will 
by no means take him away by force." 

430 Thus he spake ; and they Were all mute with silence, won- 
dering at his speech, for he spake with much vehemence. At 
length, however, the aged chief, Phoenix, addressed him, shed- 
ding tears profusely, for he feared much for the ships of the 
Achseans : 

" If indeed, illustrious Achilles, thou resolvest 9 on return, and 

435 will not repel the consuming fire from the swift ships, because 
indignation hath fallen upon thy soul ; how can I, dear child, 
then be left alone here apart from thee ? For the aged chief. 
Peleus, sent me forth with thee, on that day, when he dispatched 

440 thee from Phthia to Agamemnon, still a boy, and skilled neither 
in war, equally destructive to all, nor in councils, where men 
become illustrious. On that account he sent me forth, to teach 
thee all these things, to become a speaker of words, and a doer 
of deeds. So then, my beloved child, I would not be left behind 

445 by thee — not if a god would himself promise, stripping oiF my 
old age, to render me a blooming youth again, such as when I 
first quitted Hellas, famed for beautiful women, flying the re- 
proaches of my father Amyntor, son of Ormenus ; who was en- 

450 raged with me on account of a fair-haired girl, whom he himself 
loved, and thus dishonoured his wife, my mother. For my 
mother was always supplicating me by the knees 1 , that I should 
first have connection with the girl, that she (the girl) might hate 
the old man. Her I obeyed, and did so ; and my father imme- 
diately discovering it, uttered many execrations, and invoked the 

455 horrible furies that no beloved son, sprung from me, should ever 
be placed upon his knees : and the gods fulfilled his execrations, 
the Infernal Jove (Pinto) and relentless Proserpine. Then my 
soul within my breast no longer at all endured to abide in the 

460 house with a father thus enraged. My friends, indeed, and rela- 
tives, on all sides, detained me there within the halls by their 
entreaties. And many fat sheep and slow-footed crumple- 
horned oxen they slaughtered, and many fat swine Were extended 

465 for roasting over the fire 2 , and much of the old man's wine was 
drunk contained in earthen jars. Nine nights did they continue 
with me 3 : and in turns kept guard ; nor were the fires ever 
extinguished, one in the portico of the well-walled court, and 
another in the vestibule, in front of the chamber doors. But 

470 when the tenth shady night had come upon me, then at last I 

9 Cast into the mind — i. e. as a fixed resolve. 

1 Expressive of the act of supplication. 2 Over the flame of Vulcan. 

3 Nine nights they spent the night round me myself. 



ILIAD IX— V. 471—510. 153 

rushed forth, having burst the strong 4 doors of the apartment, 
and easily overleaped the wall of the court, unobserved 5 by the 
men on guard, and female slaves. Then I fled far away through 
spacious Hellas, and came to fertile Phthia, mother of sheep, to 475 
king Peleus ; and he kindly received me, and loved me, even as 
a father with ample possessions loves his dear and only son. 
And he made me rich, and bestowed upon me much people 6 , 
and I dwelt on the frontiers of Phthia, ruling the Dolopians. 480 
Thee also. O Achilles, equal to the gods, have I rendered what 
thou art 7 , loving thee from my soul ; for thou wouldst not go 
with another to thy meals, nor take thy food in the mansion, 
until seating thee upon my knees I satisfied thee with food, pre- 
viously cutting it up for thee, and supplying thee with wine. 485 
Often hast thou wetted the tunic upon my breast, spitting out 
the wine in froward infancy. Thus very many things did I 
bear for thee, and much did I labour, regarding this, that the 
gods had not produced offspring from myself. And I made 
thee my son, Achilles, equal to the gods, that thou mightest 490 
ever repel from me foul wrongs. But, O Achilles, subdue thy 
proud spirit ; it becomes thee not to have a pitiless heart. For 
even the gods themselves are flexible, whose virtue, and honour, 
and might are greater than thine. Even them, by sacrifices, 495 
and appeasing vows, and incense, and odours do men turn from 
their anger, when one trangresses or errs. For even Prayers are 
mighty Jove's daughters — lame and wrinkled 8 , and with eyes 500 
glancing sideways 9 ; which, following after Yiolence, are full of 
anxiety. But Violence is strong and firm of foot ; and there- 
fore he far outstrips them all 3 and arrives first at every land, 
doing injuries to men ; and they afterwards cure them 1 . Who- 
soever respects the daughters of Jove, approaching near him, 505 
him they greatly benefit, and listen to him who prays for their 
aid. But whoever denies and obstinately rejects them, then 
indeed, drawing near to Jove, son of Saturn, they intreat that 
Violence may overtake him, that he, by suffering, may pay the 
penalty of wrong. Now, Achilles, do thou also yield to the 
daughters of Jove that respect, which bends the minds of other 510 

4 Skilfully fitted, or fastened. 5 Eluding the view of the men guards. 

c i. e. appointed me governor. 

7 Such — i. e. as thou now art — till you grow up. 

8 Or thin, as worn with anxiety. 

9 i. e. not looking straight-forward — from want of confidence. 

i Atyj is a personification of Violence, or whatever prompts to wrong ; and Airai 
of the motives which are calculated to prevent the overt acts of Violence ; or fail" 
ing to prevent, to remedy the ill effects. 



154 ILIAD IX.— V. 511—548. 

good people 2 . For if Atrides brought not gifts, and did not 
name others to be given hereafter, but was still always obsti- 
nately unjust, I would not advise thee to throw aside thine 
anger, and defend the Argives, although greatly in need. But 

515 now he at once gives much on the spot, and promises more here- 
after ; and he has despatched the chief men to supplicate thee, 
having selected them, throughout the Achaean army, who are 
dearest to thyself of the Argives. Do not thou despise their 
sentiments nor their embassy 3 ; although before fault was not to 

520 be found with thee, because thou wert enraged. Thus also 
have we heard the tales of heroes of former days, when violent 
anger came upon any, they were accessible to gifts, and recon- 
cileable by words. I remember this ancient, and by no means 
modern, deed, how it was ; and I will repeat it to you, who are 

o25 all dear to me. The Curetes and iEtolians, obstinate in battle, 
fought round the city of Calydon, and slaughtered each other ; 
the JEtolians in defence 4 of lofty Calydon, and the Curetes eager 
to lay it waste by war. For among them too had Diana, of the 

530 golden throne, excited evil, indignant because OEneus had not 
offered the first fruits in sacrifice at the vintage 5 ; for the other 
gods feasted on hecatombs, and to the daughter of the mighty 
Jove alone he sacrificed not. Either he forgot or did not think 
of it — but he committed a great offence 6 . For she, the daughter 

535 of Jove, delighting in arrows, enraged, sent against him a fierce 
wild boar, with white teeth, which did much mischief, frequent- 
ing the lands of CEneus. For many tall trees, from the soil, did 
he cast upon the ground, with their very roots and the blossoms 
of their fruits. And Meleager, the son of CEneus, slew him, 
assembling huntsmen and dogs from many cities ; for he would 

540 not have been subdued with a few men — so mighty was he, and 
he caused many to ascend the sad funeral pile. And she stirred 
up about him (the boar) a great tumult and war, for the head 
and bristly skin of the boar, between the Curetes and brave 

545 iEtolians. And as long as warlike Meleager fought, was it ill 
with 7 the Curetes ; nor were they able, although numerous, to 
remain without their walls 8 . But when at length anger came 
upon Meleager. — which swells the soul of even others, the 

2 i. e. who when wronged suffer themselves to be appeased. 

3 Their word and feet. 4 Defending. 

5 Because CEneus had not done the primary sacrifices with the produce of the 
vineyard — or, perhaps, at the vintage. 

6 i. e. whatever it was, it was an act of great imprudence, and he suffered for it« 

7 So long it was badly with. 

8 U e. the iEtolians drove the Curetes within the walls of their town (Pleuron.) 



ILIAD IX.— V. 550—591. 155 

wisest, within their breasts — then, indeed, enraged in his heart 550 
with his own mother Althaea, he remained 9 at home with his 
wedded wife, the fair Cleopatra, daughter of Marpessa, the 
handsome-ankled child of Evenus, and Idas, who was the bravest 
in his time of earthly men, and even drew a bow against king 555 
Phoebus Apollo, for the sake of his handsome-ankled spouse. 
And her (Cleopatra) at that time her father and venerable 
mother used to call, in the palace, by the surname of Alcyone, 
because her mother, having the destiny of the sorrowful Alcyon, 560 
wept when the far-darting Phoebus Apollo stole her away. Be- 
side her he (Meleager) remained at home nursing his bitter 
rage, indignant because of the curses of his mother., she, who, 
much grieving, had prayed to the gods for vengeance on account 
of the murder of her brother 1 . And often did she strike with 
her hands the productive earth, calling upon Pluto and the 565 
dreaded Proserpine, bending upon her knees, whilst her bosom 
was wet with tears, to give death to her son ; and Erinnys, who 
dwells in darkness, with an implacable heart, heard her out of 
Erebus. — Soon the noise and tumult rose round their gates 2 , the .570 
towers being battered. And the elders of the JEtolians intreated 
him ; and they sent the chief priests of the gods, that he would 
come forth and defend them, promising them a mighty gift — 
where the plain 3 of fertile Calydon was richest, there they bade 
him choose for himself a beautiful farm of fifty acres 4 , one half 57b 
of vine-land 5 , and the other half of it clear 6 arable ; and cut it 
from the plain 7 . And much did the aged chief, (Eneus, beseech 
him, having ascended to the threshold of his lofty-roofed cham- 
ber, shaking the closed 8 doors, and imploring his son. And 580 
much also did his sisters and venerable mother intreat him, but 
he the more refused ; and much the friends who were worthiest 
and dearest of all ; but not even thus did they persuade the soul 
within his breast, until at last his chamber was frequently struck, 
and the Curetes were mounting the towers and setting fire to 585 
the great city. For then, at length his beautiful spouse, lament- 
ing, supplicated Meleager, and recounted all the disasters which 
befal men 9 whose city is captured — some slay the men, and fire 
reduces the city to ashes ; and others carry off the children and 590 
deep-zoned women. And his soul was stirred when he heard 1 

9 He lay. • Whom her son had slain. 2 i. e. of the ^Etolians. 

3 As if it were a common — unappropriated soil. 

4 Of course the dimensions of the yuov are not known with any precision. 

5 i. e. with trees upon it, for the vines to hang on. 6 i. e. clear of trees. 
7 i. e. detach or enclose it. 8 Fastened. 

9 Which are to men. 1 The soul of him hearing. 



156 ILIAD IX.— V. 592—628. 

these evil deeds, and he hasted and girt his body in glittering 
armour. So he repelled the evil day from the JEtolians, yield- 
ing to the impulse of his own feelings 2 . And him they did not 

595 make many and pleasing gifts, but he repelled the evil even 
thus. 3 Do not thou then meditate the same things within thy 
mind, my friend ; nor let the deity thus turn thee ; for it would 
be worse 4 to protect the ships, when actually burning. But on 
these offers — come 5 ; for the Acheeans will honour thee equally 

600 with a god. For if thou enterest the battle, destructive of men, 
without these gifts, thou wilt not be in equal honour, although 
thou shouldst ward off the war 6 ." 

Him, answering, the swift-footed Achilles addressed ; " Phoe- 
nix, my father, old man, beloved of Jove, I have no need of this 
honour, for I think I have been honoured by the will of Jove. 

605 which will keep me at my curved ships, as long as breath re- 
mains in my bosom, and my knees bear me up. And I tell thee 
something else, and do thou cast it in thy mind. Disturb not 
my soul with thy weeping and lamenting, to gratify 7 the hero 

610 Atrides ; nor ought thou to love him, that thou mayst not be 
hated by me, who love thee. It is right for thee along with me 
to annoy him who annoys me. Reign on equal terms with me 8 , 
and share half of my authority. These will bear back my 
message ; but do thou, remaining here, recline upon a soft bed, 

615 and, with the appearing morn, we will consult whether we 
shall return to our homes or remain." 

He said, and in silence motioned 9 to Patroclus, to strew a 
thick bed for Phoenix, that they (Ajax and Ulysses) might think 
forthwith of returning from the tent. And the godlike Tela- 
monian Ajax addressed to them a speech : 

620 " Most noble son of Laertes, w T ise tJlysses, let us be going, for 
the end of our address appears not to me to be in this way, at 
least attainable 1 ; and we must 2 with all haste report the mes- 
sage, unpleasant though it be 3 , to the Danaans, who are now 
sitting in expectation. For Achilles lays up within his breast 

625 a fierce and haughty spirit, unyielding, nor regards the friend- 
ship of his comrades — that with which we have honoured him at 
the ships beyond others. He has no pity — yet some have ac- 

2 i. e. not yielding to intreaties, or to offers of gifts, but prompted by his own 
conviction of the necessity. 3 i. e. without the gifts. 

4 *. e. more discreditable— or less profitable. 5 i. e. concede on these terms. 

6 Although repelling the war. 7 Bringing pleasure. 

8 Rule equally with me, and obtain by lot half my honour. 

9 With his brows — i. e. with his head — nodded. ! To be accomplished. 
2 It is necessary to. 3 Although being not good . 



ILIAD IX.— V. G29-669. 157 

cepted compensation even for a brother's death, or their own 
slaughtered son ; whilst the murderer remains at home 4 among 630 
his people, having paid large fines, and the heart, and noble soul 
of the other is appeased, receiving compensation. But in thy 
breast the gods have put an implacable and evil mind, for the 
sake of a single girl ; though we now offer thee seven of the 
very best, and many other gifts besides them. Take then gen- 635 
tier feelings, and respect thy house, for we are guests beneath 
thy roof from the army 5 of the Danaans, and desire to be most 
regardful and friendly to thee beyond all the Acheeans 6 ." 

And to him the swift-footed Achilles, answering, said : " Noble 
Ajax, son of Telamon, commander of men, thou appearest to me 640 
to say all this from thy soul ; but my heart swells with indigna- 
tion when I recollect those things, how contemptuously Atrides 
treated me in the presence of the Argives — as if I were some 
miserable exile. Go ye then, and carry back my message, for 645 
I will- not think of bloody war, before the son of warlike Priam, 
noble Hector, slaughtering the Argives, reach the tents and 
ships of the Myrmidons, and set the ships on fire. Around my 
tent and black ship, however, I think that Hector, however 650 
furious, will refrain from battle." 

Thus he spake ; and they, each having taken up a double 
goblet, and made libations, went back along the ships, and 
Ulysses led the way. And Patroclus gave orders to his com- 
rades and female slaves, to make, with all haste, a thick couch 
for Phoenix ; and they, obedient, spread a bed, as he commanded, 655 
sheep skins, and a blanket, and the finest flax 7 ; where the old 
man reposed, and awaited the heavenly morning. And Achilles 
slept in a recess of his well-made 8 tent ; and beside him slept a 
dame, whom he brought from Lesbos, the beautiful-cheeked 660 
Diomeda, daughter of Phorbas. And Patroclus on the other 
side of the tent reclined : and beside him also slept the beau- 
teous Iphis, whom the noble Achilles gave him, when he took 9 
rocky Scyros, the town of Enyeus 1 . 

And when they ( Ulysses and Ajax) at length were within 665 
the tents of Atrides, the sons of the Achseans, one after another 
received them with golden cups, rising, and made inquiries. 
And first the king of men, Agamemnon, interrogated them : 

" Come, tell me, excellent, Ulysses, great glory of the Achseans, 

4 There in his house. 

* Multitude. 6 Beyond the rest, as many Achacans as are. 

7 i. e. the softest — well-heckled — not linen sheets. ♦ 

8 Well-built— convenient. They were encamped in huts, not tents. 

9 Taking. J i, <?. of which Enyeus was chief. 



158 ILIAD IX.- V. 670—709. 

670 will he repel hostile fire from the ships, or does he refuse, and 
rage still possess his haughty soul ?" 

And to him in reply, the much-toiling nohle Ulysses said : 
" Son of Atreus, most glorious, Agamemnon, king of men, he 
will not extinguish his resentment, but is still more filled with 

675 rage, and spurns thee and thy gifts. He bids thee thyself con- 
sult among the Argives, how thou canst preserve both the ships 
and the people of the Achaeans ; and he threatens that, with the 
appearing morn, himself will launch into the main his well- 

680 benched vessels, impelled on both sides with oars ; and says 
that he advises the rest of you also to sail away homeward, 
since ye will no longer effect the destruction of lofty Ilium 2 ; 
for far-sounding Jove much protects it, and the people are full 

685 of confidence. Thus he spake ; and here are these, who accom- 
panied me, Ajax, and the two heralds, both discreet men, to 
confirm these words 3 . But the aged Phoenix sleeps there ; for 
thus Achilles commanded, in order that in the morning, he 
might accompany him in the ships to his dear native land, if he 
wishes, for he will not take him by force." 

Thus he spake, and they were all in silence, wondering at 

690 his speech, for he had harangued with great vehemence 4 . And 
long were the sorrowing sons of the Achaeans mute, till at length 
the gallant Diomedes addressed them : 

"Son of Atreus, most glorious. Agamemnon, king of men, 
would that thou hadst not supplicated the noble son of Peleus, 

695 offering numerous gifts, for he is haughty enough otherwise : 
and now again thou hast excited him much more to insolence. 
But, however, let us leave him to himself, whether he go or 
stay ; for he will then fight again when his spirit within his 

700 breast prompts, and a god impels him. Come then, let us all be 
advised to do as I say. Now take your rest, after cheering your 
hearts with food and wine, for that is force and vigour. And 
when the fair rosy-fingered morn appears, forthwith draw up 
the men' and horses 5 before the ships, inciting 6 them ; and fight 

705 thyself likewise among the foremost." 

"Thus he spake, and all the kings assented, admiring the 
speech of Diomedes, tamer of horses. Then, after offering liba- 
tions, they departed each to his tent ; where they lay down, 
and took the gift of sleep. 

a i. e. ye have no longer a chance of doing so, as he entirely withdraws. 
3 To say these things. * L e. Achilles had done so. 

5 i. e. the cars — in which the chiefs, of different ranks, alone fought. 

6 i, e. rousing them to battle. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER, 



BOOK X. 



ARGUMENT. 

Diomedes and Ulysses enter the Trojan host by night, and slay Rhesus. 

All the other chiefs of the Achseans slept all night at the 
ships, overpowered by gentle slumber ; but sweet sleep held 
not Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, shepherd of the people, re- 
volving many things in his mind. And as when the spouse of 
the fair-haired daughter Juno darts his lightning, preparing 5 
either much heavy rain, or hail, or snow-showers — whenever 
snow covers the fields 1 , or somewhere the vast mouth of bitter 
war 2 is open — so frequently 3 groaned Agamemnon in his breast 
from the bottom of his heart, and his bosom trembled within 10 
him. For truly when he looked towards the Trojan plain, he 
was amazed at the numerous fires which were burning before 
Ilium, at the clangor of pipes and horns, and the tumult of men. 
And when he beheld 4 the ships and army of the Achasans, he 15 
plucked many hairs from his head by the roots, accusing- Jove 
who dwells on high, and in his generous heart he groaned aloud. 
This counsel then appeared best to his judgment — to repair to 
Neleian Nestor, the chief among heroes, and see if with him he 
could contrive some good plan, which might be a means of pro- 20 
tection 5 to all the Danaans. Rising, therefore, he girded his 
tunic on his breast, and under his smooth feet he bound the 

i i.e. in winter. 

2 i. e. at the time of some impending battle, when Jove gives signs of his anger 
or his will. 

3 i. e. Agamemnon sighs as often, as it sometimes lightens, before the tempest 
breaks. 4 I. e. thought of— for he was in his tent. 

5 A repeller of evils. 



160 ILIAD X.— Y. 23-61. 

handsome sandals ; and then he around threw him the tawny 
skin of a lion, fierce and large, stretching to his feet, and seized 

25 his spear. And in like manner a tremor seized Menelaus, for 
neither did sleep rest upon his eyelids, through fear, lest the 
Argives should suffer any thing, who on his account had come 
over the wide sea to Troy, waging daring war. First he cov- 
ered his broad shoulders with a spotted panther's skin; and 

30 next, lifting up his brazen helmet, he placed it upon his head, 
and took a spear in his powerful hand. And he set out to rouse 5 
his brother, who had the chief command of all the Argives, and 
was honoured by the people like a god. And him he found 

35 about his shoulders putting his bright armour at the prow of his 
ship ; and to him was his. arrival welcome 7 . 

To him first brave Menelaus said : " Why thus in arms, my 
brother ? Art thou despatching one of thy friends to be a spy 
among the Trojans ? But I very much fear lest no one will 

40 undertake this work, to reconnoitre the enemy, going alone, in 
ambrosial night. He will be a bold man who does" 

And to him king Agamemnon, answering, said : "O Mene- 
laus, beloved of Jove, both you and I have need of seme pru- 
dent counsel 8 , which will protect and preserve the Argives and 

15 their ships, for the mind of Jove is changed. He has indeed 

rather given his mind to Hector's sacrifices ; for never have I 

beheld, nor heard from one relating, that one man planned so 

. many arduous deeds in a day, as Hector, beloved of Jove, has 

50 executed upon the sons of the Achaeans, in this way, though the 
dear son neither of a goddess nor of a god. And he has done 
so many deeds as I conceive will long and for many a day be 
cause of care to the Argives 9 — for he has done as many evils 
as he devised against the Achaeans. Go then, call now Ajax and 
Idomeneus. running hastily to their ships; and I will repair to 

<>5 noble Nestor, and exhort him to arise, that he may go to the 
sacred company of guards and give orders ; for to him will they 
most readily listen ; and his son commands the guards, along 
with Meriones, the comrade of Idomeneus ; for to them in chief 
we intrusted the command of the guard 1 ." 

60 And to him then brave Menelaus replied : " How then dost 
thou by thy order enjoin me, and command? Should I remain 



6 But he went to go to rouse. 

r And coming he was welcome to him — i. e. to Agamemnon. 

8 Need to thee and me of prudent counsel — i. e. is come. 

9 i. e. will remember with sorrow. 

1 For them we intrusted chiefly — i. e. to command the guard. 



ILIAD X.— V. 62—100. 161 

there 2 with them, waiting till thou comest, or run back again to 
thee, when I have duly given them thy directions 3 ?" 

And to him, in return, the king of men, Agamemnon, said : 
u To wait there, lest somehow in coming we miss one another ; 65 
for there are many ways throughout the camp. And shout 
aloud, where thou goest, and command them to be watchful, giv- 
ing each man a name from his father's family, addressing all re- 
spectfully ; nor bear thyself with a haughty spirit. But let us 
ourselves also labour 4 ; so does Jove inflict on us at our birth 5 70 
heavy calamity 6 ." 

Thus saying he dismissed his brother, after duly charging 
him. And himself went in search of Nestor, shepherd of the 
people. And him he found on his soft couch beside his tent and 
black ship, and by him was lying his beautiful armour, a shield, 75 
and two spears, and a glittering helmet : beside him also was ly- 
ing the embroidered belt with which the old man girded himself, 
when he armed himself for man-destroying war, leading on his 
people ; for he did not give way to miserable old age. And 80 
raising himself then upon his elbow, and lifting up his head, he 
addressed the son of Atreus, and questioned him in these words : 

" Who art thou, who thus comest alone through the army to 
the ships, in the dark night, when other mortals sleep ? Art 
thou come in search of any of the guards, or any of thy com- 
rades ? Speak, nor approach me in silence ; what wantest S5 
thou 7 ?" 

And him then answered Agamemnon, king of men : " O Nes- 
tor, son of Neleus, great boast of the Achasans, thou wilt recog- 
nize A^imemnon, son of Atreus, whom beyond all Jupiter places 
in difficulties continually, as long as breath remains in my breast, 
and my knees bear me up 8 . I am roaming thus, because sweet 90 
sleep sits not on my eyes : and the war troubles me, and calamities 
of the Aclueans. For I greatly fear for the Danaans, neither 
is my heart firm, but I am in great distress. My heart leaps 
without my breast, and my good limbs tremble beneath me. 95 
But if thou canst do aught — since neither upon thee dees sleep 
come — come, let us go down to the guards, that we may see 
them, lest worn out by toil and sleepiness, they slumber, and al- 
together forget their watch. For the enemy lies near 9 ; nor do 100 

2 i. e. not at their tents, but with the guards. 

3 When I shall have well ordered. 

4 i. e. in summoning the chiefs — themselves, not by heralds. 

5 Upon us born — when born. 6 i. e. such is our fate. 

» "What necessity (comes to) you. 8 i. e. as long as I live and can move. 

9 And hostile men sit near. 

12 



162 ILIAD X— V. 101—141. 

we at all know whether they may not be planning to fight even 
during the night." 

And to him then the Gerenian chief, Nestor, replied : " Aga- 
memnon, most glorious, son of Atreus, king of men, never will 
wise Jove accomplish for Hector all the thoughts which he now 

105 doubtless hopes to effect ; but I think that he will labour under 
even more cares than we, should Achilles turn away his own 
heart from obstinate resentment. I will, however, readily ac- 
company thee ; and we will moreover rouse others, both Dio- 

110 medes, skilful in the spear, and Ulysses, and the swift Ajax, and 
the gallant son 1 of Phyleus. But I wish some 2 one, going after 
them, would call those too, both godlike Ajax, and king Idome- 
neus ; for their ships are very far off, and by no means near at 
hand. And Menelaus, loved and respected though he be, I will 

115 scold, shouldst even thou be displeased with me, nor will I be 
silent, because he sleeps, and suffers thee alone to toil. Now 
ought he to labour, supplicating among all the chiefs, for neces- 
sity, no longer bearable, is come." 

And him Agamemnon, king of men, addressed in return : 

120 " Old man, at other times I even bid thee blame him, for he is 
often remiss, and desires not to labour ; not relaxing through 
slothfulness, nor through incapacity 3 of mind, but looking to me, 
and awaiting my directions. This time, however, he was up 
long before me, and stood beside me ; and I have sent him be- 

125 forehand to call those whom thou seekest. Let us go then, and 
we shall find them in front of the gates among the guards ; for 
there I gave orders for them to assemble." 

And him then, the Gerenian chief, Nestor, answered* " So, 

130 none of the Argives will blame him nor disobey him, when he 
exhorts or gives orders to any." 

Thus saying, he put on his tunic 4 over his breast, and under 
his shining feet he bound the handsome sandals, and fastened 
about him with a clasp his scarlet cloak, double 5 and ample ; and 

135 the shaggy pile was thick upon it ; and he seized a tough spear, 
pointed with sharp brass : and set out to go down to the ships 
of the brazen-mailed Achseans. First then the Gerenian chief, 
Nestor, roused Ulysses, equal to Jove in counsel, from his sleep, 
calling him. And the voice immediately penetrated into his 

140 heart 6 , and he came forth from the tent, and addressed this 
speech to them : 

1 Meges. 2 If any one would — scil. I should be glad — or something similar. 

3 i.e. not from sloth, or ignorance. 

4 2£»twv, the under garment of men and women. 5 i. e. thick. 
6 But the voice immediately came to him round his mind. 



ILIAD X.— V. 142—176. 163 

" Why roam ye thus alone through the army down to the 
ships, in ambrosial night ? what so great necessity now comes 
on you ? : ' 

And him answered then the Gerenian chief, Nestor : " O most 
noble son of Laertes, ever ready Ulysses, do not blame us — so 
great a sorrow oppresses the Achseans. But follow, that we 145 
may rouse up another too, whomsoever it becomes, to consult, 
whether to fly or fight. 7 ' 

Thus he spake, and the wise Ulysses returning into his tent, 
put over his shoulders a variegated shield, and went after them. 
And they went on to Diomedes, son of Tydeus, and him they 150 
found without in front of his tent, with his armour ; and his 
comrades slept around him. And beneath their heads they had 
their shields, and their spears were stuck upright in the ground 
on their points ; and the brass glittered afar off; like the light- 
ning of father Jove. And that hero slumbered, and under him 155 
was spread the hide of a wild bull ; and under his head was 
stretched a bright bolster 7 . Standing by him the Gerenian 
chief, Nestor, awoke him, stirring him with the heel of his foot 8 , 
and aroused him up, and in front of him thus upbraided him : 

" Wake up, son of Tydeus, why all night dost thou indulge 160 
sleep? Knowest thou not that the Trojans lie on the hill of 
the plain, close to the ships, and that now small space separates 
us." 

Thus he spake ; and Diomedes leaped up very hastily from 
slumber, and addressing him uttered these winged words : 

" 4J;ough one art thou, old man ; thou never ceasest from la- 
bour. W Are there not other sons also of the Acha3ans younger, 165 
who, going in every direction, might wake up each of the 
princes ? For thou art not capable of doing this thyself, old 
man." 

And him then, in turn, the Gerenian chief, Nestor, addressed : 
'•' Truly, my friend, all this thou sayst rightly. I have good sons, 
and I have many people, any one of whom might go and call 170 
them. But a very great necessity presses the Achaeans; for in 
short, it stands upon the edge 9 with all, whether the Achaeans 
will perish or be saved 1 . Go then, rouse now the fleet Ajax, 175 
and the son of Phyleus — for thou art younger — if thou pitiest 



7 rairris (paeivo; — of a bright colour — perhaps of red cloth or blanketing. 

s Moving him with his foot — heel-wise. 

9 Proverbial — it is a most critical, or rather perilous, moment. 

1 Whether there will be to the Achceans a very lamentable destruction — or to 

live. 



164 ILIAD X.— V. 177—218. 

Thus he spake ; and Diomedes put on, round his shoulders, 
the skin of a huge fierce lion, reaching to his feet, and took a 
spear. And forth he issued 2 ; and the hero, having roused them, 
led them thence. 

180 And when now they came to the assembled guards, they found 
not the commanders of the guards slumbering, but all were sit- 
ting vigilantly with their arms. And as dogs keep anxious 
watch round the sheep in a fold — having heard a fierce beast, 

185 one that comes between the hills, down the forest — and great is 
the clamour of men and dogs at him, and sleep utterly forsakes 
them 3 ; so sweet slumber departed from their eye-lids, keeping 
guard during the evil night. For they were ever turned to- 
wards the plain, when they heard the Trojans in motion 4 . And 

100 the old man, beholding them, was delighted, and encouraged 
them with his words, and addressing them, uttered these winged 
words : 

"Thus now, my dear children, keep watch; nor let sleep 
seize upon any, lest we become a mockery to the enemy." 
Thus saying, he crossed the ditch ; and him accompanied the 

195 princes of the Argives, as many as were summoned to council. 

And along with these went Meriones, and the noble son of 

Nestor ; for them they summoned to consult with them. And 

having passed over the dug ditch, they sat down upon a clear 

200 space, where a piece of ground appeared free of dead bodies — 
whence the impetuous Hector, after destroying the Argives, had 
returned back, when night at length enveloped them. There 
sitting down, they talked with each other j and among them the 
Gerenian chief, Nestor, began in these words : 

" O friends, what man now would not obey his own daring 

205 spirit, to go to the bold Trojans — and try if he could capture 
one of the enemy in the outskirts 5 of the camp — or learn some 
intelligence among the Trojans, what they are planning to- 
gether ; whether they intend to remain here by the ships, so 

210 near 6 , or return back again to the city, now they have defeated 
the Achseans ? Could he learn all this, and come back to us in 
safety, great under heaven would be his glory amongst all men, 
and great shall be his reward. For as many chiefs as are in 

215 command of vessels, they will give, each of them all a black 
sheep, a ewe, with a lamb at its udders — to that indeed no pos- 
session will be equal — and always shall he be a guest at our 
banquets and feasts." 

2 And he went to go. 3 Has utterly perished to them. 

4 Advancing. 5 Being in the extremity of it. 

6 At a distance — or rather, a small distance. 



ILIAD X.— V. 219—255. 165 

Thus he spake ; and they all became then silently quiet ; and 
tho gallant Diomedes, in the midst of them, said : 

" Nestor, my heart and bold spirit prompt me to enter the 220 
camp of the hostile Trojans, now so near 7 ; but if some other 
man would go along with me, there would be more pleasure 8 , 
and it would be more encouraging. For when two go together, 
the one observes before the other, how it may be an advantage 
to act. But if one, by himself, does observe any thing, yet is 225 
his perception more slow, and his decision feeble 9 ." 

Thus he spake : and the greater number 1 desired to accom- 
pany Diomedes. The two Ajaxes wished it, servants of Mars. 
Meriones wished it ; and the son of Nestor very much wished 
it; and the son of Atreus, Menelaus, skilful with the spear, 230 
wished it, and the daring Ulysses wished to penetrate into the 
camp of the Trojans ; for the spirit within his breast was ever 
daring. And among them, Agamemnon, the king of men, 
spake : 

" Diomedes, son of Tydeus, dear to my soul, the comrade thou 
shalt choose, whom thou wilt — the best of those who present 2 235 
themselves, for many are ready to go. Nor do thou, from feel- 
ings of respect 3 , leave the better, and take the worse, yielding 
to false delicacy — looking to birth — nor if he be a greater king 
than the rest." 

Thus he spake ; for he feared for the yellow-haired Menelaus ; 24fr 
but the gallant Diomedes again spake amongst them : 

" If then ye bid me myself select a comrade, how can I now 
forget the godlike Ulysses, whose heart is prompt above others, 
and Ms soul bold amid all dangers ; for Pallas Minerva loves 245 
him. If he accompany me, even from burning fire, we shall 
both return, for he is skilful in counsel beyond others 4 ? 

And him in return the resolute and noble Ulysses addressed : 
u Son of Tydeus, neither praise me beyond measure, nor at all 
blame, for thou art speaking among Arrives who know these 250 
things. Let us be going then, for the night declines fast 5 , and 
the morning is near. And the stars have already far advanced, 
and the greater portion of the night, by two parts, has gone by, 
but the third portion still remains." 

Thus they spake, and girded on their terrible armour. To 
Tydides, Thrasymedes, firm in war, gave a two-edged sword, for 255 

7 Being near. 8 Hope, or perhaps confidence. 

9 i. e. neither so shrewd in observation, nor so decisive in action. 

1 i. e. of the council. 2 Appear — show themselves. 

3 Having respect for in thy feelings. 

* He knows how to think or deliberate — above others. 5 Much. 



166 ILIAD X.— V. 257—296. 

his own was left at the ships, and a shield. And upon his head 
he placed his bull's hide helmet, uncombed and uncrested, which 
is called cataityx 6 , and protects the head of vigorous youths. 

260 And Meriones gave a bow, and quiver, and sword, to Ulysses, and 
put upon his head a helmet made of hide ; and within, it was 
firmly fastened with many thongs ; whilst without, the white 

265 teeth of an ivory-tusked boar in rows on either side covered 7 it 
well, and skilfully ; and in the midst it was stuffed with felt 8 . 
That Autolycus once brought from Eleon, the city of Amyntor, 
the son of Hormenus, when he broke into his strong mansion 9 . 
In Scandeia, however, he gave it to Amphidamus, the Cythe- 

270 rian ; and Amphidamus bestowed it upon Molus, to be a gift of 
hospitality, and he, again, gave it to his son, Meriones, to be 
worn. Then at last, fastened round, it pressed the head of 
Ulysses. And they, when they were girt in dreadful arms, set 
out to go, and left all the chiefs at the same place. And to them, 

275 near their road, Pallas Minerva sent a heron upon the right 
hand; and they discerned it not with their eyes, because of the 
dark night, but heard it screaming. And Ulysses was delighted 
on account of the bird, and prayed to Minerva : 

" Hear me, child of a?gis-bearing Jove, who dost ever stand by 
me in all labours, nor do I ever stir unseen by thee. Now 

280 again, O Minerva, especially favour me ; and grant that, covered 
with glory, we may retnrn back to the ships, having performed 
some mighty deed, which will distress the Trojans 1 . 

Then the brave Diomedes, in his turn, next prayed : " Now 
hear me also, daughter of Jove, invincible. Accompany me, as 

285 when thou didst accompany my father, noble Tydeus, to TJhebes, 
what time he went as an ambassador for the Achasans; and left 
the brazen-mailed Achseans at the Asopus, and bore thither 2 
himself a mild message to the Cadmseans ; and returning, per- 

290 formed very arduous deeds, with thy aid 3 , O noble goddess, when 
thou didst stand beside him, propitious. So now willingly stand 
by me and protect me ; and in return I will sacrifice to thee an 
heifer of a year old, broad-fronted, untamed, which man has not 
yet brought under the yoke. This I will sacrifice to thee, gild- 
ing its horns 4 ." 

295 Thus they spake, praying ; and Pallas Minerva heard them. 
And after they had supplicated the daughter of mighty Jove, 



6 A lighter sort of helmet so named — a skull-cap. T Had. 

8 Felt was fitted. 9 i. e. in sacking a captured town. 

1 Will be a care to them — i. e. a calamity, which they will not soon forget. 

2 i. e. to Thebes. 3 With thee. 4 Pouring gold round its horns. 



ILIAD X.— V. 297— 333. 167 

they went onward, like two lions, in the dark night, through 
slaughter, through dead bodies, through arms and black blood. 

Nor did Hector allow the bold Trojans to sleep ; but sum- 
moned together all the chiefs, as many as were leaders and 300 
commanders of the Trojans. Having called them together, he 
proposed 5 a prudent plan : 

" Who will undertake to execute 6 for me this deed, for a 
great reward ? For his reward shall be ample ; for a car and 
two torses, with arching necks, which excel in speed, at the 305 
swift-sailing ships of the Achasans 7 , will I give to him who will 
ventire — and he will win glory for himself — to go down close 
to th3 quick-sailing ships, and learn whether the swift ships are 
guaried as formerly, or whether now, defeated by our hands, 310 
they are meditating flight among themselves, or are 8 unable to 
kee 1 ) watch during the night, worn out with grievous toil 9 ." 

Thus he spake ; and they were all silently quiet. But there 
wa5 among the Trojans one Dolon, a son of Eumedes, a divine 
hejald, possessed of much gold and much brass, who in appear- 315 
ame was indeed contemptible, but swift of foot ; and he was an 
orly son, with five sisters. He then, standing by, addressed 
hmself to the Trojans and Hector : 

" Hector, my heart and bold spirit prompt me to go down 
:lose to the quick-sailing ships, and learn what is going on. 320 
Come, then, raise up thy sceptre to me, and swear to me, that 
thou wilt give me the horses, and the car adorned with brass, 
which bear the illustrious son of Peleus ; and I will not be an 
useless spy to thee, nor disappoint thine expectation 1 . For I 325 
will go into the camp, right through till I reach Agamemnon's 
ship, where the chiefs, perchance, are planning either to fly or 
fight/ 7 

Thus he spake ; and Hector took the sceptre in his hands, and 
swore to him : " Let Jove himself now know, the loudly-thun- 
dering spouse of Juno — no other man of the Trojans shall be 330 
borne by those horses 2 ; but I declare that thou shalt exult for 
ever in the possession of them." 

Thus he spake, and swore, what 3 was not destined to be ac- 

5 Framed — perfected. 6 Undertaking, will execute, &c. 

7 agrfrsvuffi — i. e. which are among the best, belonging to the Achaeans now 
at their ships. 8 Will not. 

9 He wishes to know whether they are keeping watch — and if not, whether the 
neglect arises from their preparation for flight, or from sheer exhaustion. 

1 Nor from expectation. 2 Shall ride — or be driven in that car. 

s Svrio£xov — falsely, or a false oath — not with a false intent — he only swore to 
grant his request, if in his power of course. 



168 ILIAD X.— V. 835—373. 

335 complished, and urged him to set out. And immediately he 
threw around his shoulders his bent bow, and put on over it 4 the 
hide of a grey wolf, and upon his head a casque of weasel-skin ; 
and seized a sharp javelin. And he set out from the camp, to- 
wards the ships — never, however, to bring back intelligence to 
Hector, returning from the ships. And when now he left behind 
him the crowd of horses and men, he with eagerness held on his 

340 way. And him advancing, the godlike Ulysses observed, and 
said to Diomedes : 

" That man, Diomedes, is coming from the camp — I know not 
whether as a spy upon our vessels, or to plunder some cf the 
dead bodies. But let us suffer him first to pass by a little along 

345 the plain, and then, rushing suddenly upon him, seize him. And 
if he outstrip us in speed, pursuing him with a spear, fet us 
constantly push 5 him from the camp towards the ships, lett by 
chance he escape towards the city." 

350 Then having thus spoken, they lay down out of the jath 
among the dead bodies ; and he with imprudence, fan hazily 
past. And when now he was as far off as are furrows madehy 
mules 6 — for they are better than oxen to drag the strong plough 
through the deep fallow — the two ran after him : and he haltd, 

355 hearing a noise. For he hoped within his heart, that his com- 
rades had come from the Trojans to turn him back, Hectoi 
having given fresh orders 7 . But when now they were distant 
a spear's cast, or even less, he knew the men were enemies, and 

360 moved his swift knees to fly; and they immediately started in 
pursuit of him. And as when two strong-toothed dogs, skilled 
in hunting, ever unremittingly pursue through the woody 
ground either a fawn or a hare, and it runs screaming before 
them : so did Tydides, and Ulysses, destroyer of cities, pursue 

365 him ever steadily, cutting him off from his people. And when 
now, flying towards the ships, he would have speedily min- 
gled with the guards, then indeed Minerva put fresh might 
into Tydides, that none of the brazen-mailed Achseans might be 
beforehand in boasting that he had wounded him, and he himself 
come second. For the gallant Diomedes, rushing on him with 
his spear, addressed him : 

370 « Either stop, or I will overtake thee with my spear ; nor 
dor do I think that thou wilt long escape certain destruction 
from my hand." 
He said, and hurled his spear, but intentionally missed the 

4 Outside. 6 i. e. let us try to push, &c. 

6 1. e. the length of a furrow in a field so ploughed. 
7 Hector having again ordered. 



ILIAD X.— V. 374—416. 169 

man. And over his right shoulder the point of the well-polished 
spear stuck in the ground. And then he stopt and trembled, 
stammering, while his teeth chattered 8 , pale through fear. 375 
Panting they overtook him, and seized his hands ; and weeping, 
he thus spake : 

" Take me alive, and I will ransom myself: for I have at home 9 
brass, and gold, and well-wrought iron ; from which my father 
will bestow upon you an immense ransom, if he learn that I am 380 
alive at the ships of the Adtaeans." 

And him the wily Ulysses answering, said: "Take courage, 
nor let death be at all in thy mind ; but come, tell me this, and 
state it correctly. Why comest thou thus alone from the camp 385 
towards the fleet, in the dark night, and when other mortals 
sleep ? Is it to plunder any of the dead bodies ; or did Hector 
send thee forth to reconnoitre every thing at the hollow ships ? 
Or did thy own spirit prompt thee ?" 

And him then Dolon answered, while his knees trembled 390 
under him : " Into great troubles, contrary to my will, has Hec- 
tor led me, who promised to give me the solid-hoofed horses of 
the illustrious son of Peleus, and his car ornamented with brass. 
And he bade me, setting out, in the swift black night, approach 395 
near the enemy, and learn whether the swift ships were guarded 
as before, or whether now, defeated by our hands, ye were 
planning flight among yourselves, and were not able to keep 
watch during the night, worn out with severe labour." 

Then, smiling, the wily Ulysses addressed him : " Well, cer- 400 
tainly thy spirit aimed at mighty gifts — the horses of the warlike 
JEacides ; for they are difficult to be controlled by mortal men, 
and to be driven by any other than Achilles, to whom an im- 
mortal mother gave birth. But come, tell me this, and state it cor- 
rectly ; where now, coming hither, didst thou leave Hector, shep- 405 
herd of the people ? Where lies his martial armour, and where 
his horses ? And how are the stations and the beds of the other 
Trojans placed ? What are they planning among themselves? 
Do they intend to remain there at a short distance from the 410 
ships 1 , or will they return again to the city, now 2 they have de- 
feated the Achaeans ?" 

And Dolon, the son of Eumedes, in reply, said to him : " I will 
indeed tell these things to thee very exactly. Hector, with 
those who are counsellors, is planning plans by the tomb of the 415 
divine Ilus, apart from the tumult ; and as to the guards of which 



8 And there was a chattering of teeth in his mouth. 9 Within my house. 

1 By the ships, a little way off. 2 After, or since. 



170 ILIAD X.— Y. 418—454. 

thou inquirest, hero, no selected 3 band protects or watches the 
camp. All the fires 4 belong to the Trojans, whose business it is, 

420 and they keep awake, and exhort each other to be on their 
guard. But the allies summoned from afar, on the contrary, 
sleep ; for they leave it to the Trojans to keep watch, for neither 
their children nor their wives lie near them 5 ." 

And to him, the wily Ulysses, answering, said : " But now how 

425 do they sleep, mingled with the Trojans, tamers of horses, or 
apart ? Tell me, that I may know." 

And him then Dolon, the son of Eumedes, answered : " I will 
indeed state also these things with the utmost correctness. To- 
wards the sea, are the Cares and Pseones, armed with bent bows, 

430 and the Leleges and Caucones, and noble Pelasgi. And towards 
Thymbra, the Lycians have their stations, 6 and the noble My- 
sians, and the Phrygians, tamers of horses, and the Maeonian 
cavalry 7 . But why inquire ye of me these particulars ? For if 
ye now seek to penetrate into the camp 8 of the Trojans — there 
are the Thracians newly arrived, they are apart, the farthest off 
of all the others. And among them is their king Rhesus, the 

435 son of Eioneus, whose horses are the most beautiful and largest 
I have seen 9 . They are whiter than snow, and like the winds 
in speed 1 . And his car is beautifully adorned with both gold 
and silver ; and he himself comes, with armour, golden, prodi- 

440 gious — a wonder to be seen ; and not at all fit for mortal man to 
wear, but for immortal gods. But now take me to the swift 
ships, or binding me with a ruthless bond, leave me here until 
ye go and make trial of me, whether I have spoken to you ac- 

445 cording to truth or not." 

And then brave Diomedes, looking sternly, addressed him : 
" Do not put in thy mind the thought of escape from me, Dolon 
— though reporting good tidings — since thou hast come into my 
hands. For if we should now dismiss thee, or let thee go 2 , 

450 hereafter again thou wouldst surely return to the swift ships of 
the Achaaans, either to explore, or to fight against us. But if. 
subdued by my hands, thou lose thy life, thou wilt never after- 
wards be an injury to the Argives." 

He said ; and the other was about to supplicate him, taking 

3 xsxgiiASVY\, scil. (puXaxyj — selected, or appointed — i. e. there is no particular 
guard, but all are on the alert. 4 Fire-places. 

5 As if they had only themselves to take care of. G Have their lot. 

7 i. e. who fought in cars — for there were plainly no cavalry in the modern 
sense. 8 The crowd, or body. 

9 Perhaps, the most beautiful I ever beheld. * To run. 

2 Or, leave thee unhurt. 



ILIAD X.— V. 455—488. 171 

him by the chin with his broad hand ; but flying at him with 455 
his sword, Diomedes smote him upon the middle of the neck, 
and cut through both tendons ; and his head, still muttering, was 
mingled with the dust. And from his head they took the 
weasel-skin helmet ; and the wolf-skin, and his bent bow and 460 
long spear : and the noble Ulysses raised them aloft with his 
hand to Minerva, the goddess of plunder 3 , and praying, spake 4 : 

H Rejoice, O goddess, in these ; for thee, first of all the im- 
mortals in Olympus, do we invoke 5 ; but conduct us likewise to 
the horses and beds of the Thracian men." 

Thus he said ; and raising them high above himself, he hung 465 
them on a tamarisk tree. And he placed a conspicuous mark, 
pulling up reeds, and the wide-spreading branches of the tama- 
risk, lest they should not find them again 6 when they returned 
in the swift black night. Then both advanced forward through 
weapons and black gore : and proceeding, they speedily came to 470 
the division of the Thracians. And these were sleeping, over- 
powered with toil, and their beautiful armour lay upon the 
ground beside them, in good order 7 , in three rows ; and a pair of 
horses stood by each of them. And, in the midst, slept Rhesus, 
and near him his swift horses were fastened by the reins to the 
body of the car 8 . And Ulysses first observing him, pointed out 475 
to Diomedes : 

" That is the man 9 , O Diomedes, and those are the horses, 
which Dolon, whom we slew, told us of. Come then, now, 
exert thy mighty strength, nor becomes it thee to stand idle 
with weapons ; but loosen the horses ; or slaughter thou the 480 
men, and the horses shall be my care." 

Thus he spake ; and the blue-eyed Minerva breathed valour 
into Diomedes, and he slaughtered away around him 1 , and a 
great groaning of those smttten with the sword arose ; and the 
earth was red with blood. And as a lion, coming upon un- 485 
guarded flocks of goats or sheep, rushes on them meditating de- 
struction 2 , so the son of Tydeus fell upon the Thracians until 
he had slain twelve. And as to wise Ulysses—whomsoever 

3 "k7\iri5i — plunderer — which warrants the usual interpretation of aye'ksw. 

4 Uttered a word. 

5 The future used as the present tense — but the Homeric use either of tenses or 
moods must not be appreciated by the more absolute standard of later days. 

6 Should escape them — not be seen by them. 7 Well — in, or as to order. 

s Apparently the hinder (ffufxaTrjg) part of the avTu|, E. 728. The ewidiypias 
is equivalent to avru| — for <5»ppog is nothing but the part of the car in which the 
parties stood. 9 The man for thee — or that is your man. 

1 i. e. right and left. 2 Evil things. 



172 ILIAD X— V. 490—521. 

490 Tydides, coming close, struck with the sword, him Ulysses 
dragged back 3 , seizing him by the foot ; designing these things 
in his mind 4 , that the beautiful 5 horses might pass through with 
ease, nor be alarmed, when treading over the dead bodies, for as 
yet they were unused to them. And when now the son of 

495 Tydeus had reached the king, — him, the thirteenth, he deprived 
of sweet life, while panting 6 ; for by the counsel of Minerva an 
ill dream stood over his head in the night, in the form of the 
son of Tydeus 7 : and in the mean time the courageous Ulysses 
was untying the solid-hoofed horses. And with the reins he 

500 bound them together, and drove them from the crowd, striking 
them with his bow, because he had not thought of taking in his 
hands the splendid lash from the well- wrought car ; and then 
whistled, giving a signal to the noble Diomedes. For he, re- 
maining, was debating with himself 8 what more daring deed he 

505 should do ; whether, seizing the car 9 , where lay the embroi- 
dered armour, he should drag it out by the pole, or carry it out 
away, lifting it aloft 1 ; or take away the life of still more of the 
Thracians. Whilst he was revolving these things within his 
mind, Minerva in the mean time standing near addressed the 
noble Diomedes: 

" Think now of return to the hollow ships, son of brave Ty- 

510 deus, lest thou go, when put to flight : or lest, perchance, some 
other god rouse also the Trojans." 

Thus she spake ; and he perceived the voice of the goddess 
who addressed him 2 , and he hastily mounted the horses 3 . And 
Ulysses lashed them with his bow, and they fled to the swift 
ships of the Achseans. 

515 Nor had Apollo, of the silver bow, been unobservant 4 . As 
soon as he beheld Minerva inciting 5 the son of Tydeus, enraged 
with her he descended into the vast army of the Trojans, and 
roused Hippocoon, a counsellor of the Thracians, the gallant 
cousin of Rhesus. And he, leaping up from sleep, when he be- 

"20 held the place empty where the fleet horses had stood, and the 
men panting amidst the foul slaughter, wailed aloud, and called 6 

3 Or apart. * i. e. he did so, with this view. 
6 xaXkiT^sg — refers rather to the coat than the mane. 

6 i. e. with fright occasioned by his dream. * Oivs»6ao. 

8 Or, considering. 

9 i. e. the seat, or rather — for there was only standing room — the body of the 
car __very small and light. * i. e. upon his head or shoulders. 

2 Speaking to. 3 •• e. they rode the horses — leaving the car behind. 

4 Had not kept a negligent look-out. * per a — koutfav. So in E. 329, 
6 And named. 



ILIAD X.— Y. 522—556. 173 

upon his dear companion by name. And a clamour and mighty 
tumult of the Trojans running together arose, and they looked 
with wonder at all 7 the sad deeds, which had been done by the 525 
men who were now returned to the hollow ships. 

And when now they had come to the spot, where they slew 
the spy of Hector, there Ulysses, dear to Jove, stopped his fleet 
horses 8 . And Tydides, leaping to the ground, placed in the 
hands of Ulysses the bloody spoils, and then mounted the horses. 
And he lashed the steeds, and both, not unwilling, fled towards 530 
the hollow ships, for thither it was agreeable to their minds to 
go 9 . And Nestor first heard the sound, and said : 

" O friends, leaders and princes of the Argives, shall I speak 
false, or say the truth ? For my heart bids me speak. The 
sound of swift-footed steeds strikes upon my ears. O that now 535 
Ulysses and the gallant Diomedes may be thus speedily driving 
some solid-hoofed horses from the Trojans. But greatly do I 
fear in my mind, lest these bravest of the Argives suffer some- 
thing from the pursuit of the Trojans." 

The whole speech was not yet uttered, when they themselves 540 
arrived. And then they alighted on the ground, and their 
friends rejoicing, saluted them with the right hand and kind 
expressions. And first the Gerenian chief, Nestor questioned 
them: 

" Come, tell me, most excellent Ulysses, great glory of the 
Achasans, how took ye these horses ? Penetrating into the 545 
camp of the Trojans ? or did some god, meeting, give them to 
you ? Greatly are they like the rays of the sun 1 . I am always 
fighting 2 with the Trojans, nor can I say that I, though an aged 
warrior, remain at the ships : but I have never seen nor re- 
marked such horses, and I think that some god, meeting you, 
has given them. For cloud-compelling Jove loves you both, 550 
and the daughter of the aegis-bearing Jove, the blue-eyed Min- 
erva." 

And to him the wise Ulysses, answering, said ; " O Nestor, 
offspring of Neleus, great glory of the Achseans, easily could a 555 
god, were he willing, have given better horses even than these, 

7 As many as. 

8 The same phrases are used, as if they were driving a car. 

9 By construction the phrase applies to the horses — not to Ulysses and Diomedes. 
It is of frequent occurrence (for instance, A. 520), though inappropriate here. 
Such malapropos phrases are attributable to the lack of critical skill in the ancient 
or original editors of Homer. ' i. e. dazzling white. 

2 Mingling — i. e. in conflict. Though I am much in 'the field, and so see much 
of the Trojan horses, I never observed such among them. 



174 ILIAD X.- V. 558—579. 

for there are far better 3 . But these steeds about which thou 
inquirest, old man, are Thracian ; newly arrived ; and the brave 

560 Diomedes slew their lord, and beside him twelve companions, 
all the noblest. The thirteenth, a spy, we killed, near the 
ships — a man whom Hector sent forth, and the other illustrious 
Trojans, to reconnoitre our army 4 ." 

Thus saying, he drove the solid-hoofed horses across the 

o65 ditch 5 , exulting in glory; and with -him went the other Achae- 
ans rejoicing. And when they came to the well-constructed 
tent of Tydides, they fastened the steeds with good 6 halters at 
the horse-crib, where stood the swift-footed horses of Diomedes 

570 eating sweet corn. And in the stern of his vessel Ulysses laid 
the bloody spoils of Dolon, until they 7 could make them ready 
as a sacred gift to Minerva 8 . Then going into the sea, they 
washed off the great sweat from their legs, and their neck, and 

^>7o their thighs. And when the water of the sea had washed off 
the great sweat from their bodies, and their hearts were re- 
freshed 9 , then entering the well-polished baths, they bathed ; 
and both having bathed and anointed themselves with rich oil, 
they sat down to a feast, and taking from a full bowl, they made 
an oblation of sweet 1 wine to Minerva. 

3 Possibly — for they are faT more powerful than men — meaning the gods are. 
$. 264. 4 To be an explorer of our army. 

5 i. e. by the o<5og )tf<nrfha(Jia.. H. 340. 

6 Well cut — i. e. from skins — the halters were strips of hide. 

7 i. e. Ulysses and Diomedes. 

8 i. e. till they could dedicate — or suspend them in some temple of Minerva. 

9 Refreshed as to their hearts — when they had thus cooled themselves. 
1 With the sweetness of honey. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER. 



BOOK XL 



ARGUMENT. 

Agamemnon distinguishes himself. He is wounded, and retires. Diomedes is 
wounded by Paris ; Ulysses by Socus. Ajax, with Menelaus, flies to the relief 
of Ulysses, and Euryp)lus, soon after, to the relief of Ajax. While he is em- 
ployed in assisting Ajax, he is shot in the thigh by Paris, who also wounds 
Machaon. Nestor conveys Machaon from the field. Achilles dispatches Pa- 
troclus to the tent of Nestor, and Nestor takes that occasion to exhort Patroclus 
to engage in battle, clothed in the armour of Achilles. 

And Aurora rose from her couch, beside the beautiful Titho- 
uuSj that she might carry light to immortals and to mortals ; and 
Jupiter sent forth Discord to the swift ships of the Achaaans, 
holding in her hands the signal of war : and she stood 1 upon the * 
huge 2 black ship of Ulysses, which 3 was in the midst 4 , that she 
might be heard 5 on both sides, as well at the tents of the Tela- 
monian Ajax, as at those of Achilles; for those two had drawn 
up their good 7 ships at the extremities, relying on their valour 
and the might of their hands. There the goddess, standing, at t q 
the top of the voice 8 , shouted loudly and terribly to the Achae- 
ans ; and implanted mighty strength in each heart, to fight and 
combat incessantly. And immediately war became more sweet 
to them, than to return in the hollow ships to their dear native 
land. And the son of Atreus shouted aloud, and ordered the ■ * 

1 i. e. in a more artificial construction — When Aurora rose, Jove sent Discord, 
and she stood, &c. 

2 As large as a whale. 3 *J [»a — j. e. the ship which, &c. 
1 i. e. in the middle of the line or lines. '•> To shout audibly to. 
ti Or hauled on shore. ? s'itfaS. s o*dta. 



176 ILIAD XL— Y. 18-57. 

Argives to be girded : and himself put on his splendid armour. 9 
First, round his legs he put his beautiful greaves, fitted with 

20 silver clasps ; next, on his breast he put the corselet, which 
Cinyras once gave him, to be a memorial of hospitality. For he 
had heard at Cyprus 1 a great rumor, that the Achaeans were 
going to sail against Troy in ships ; and on that account gave 
him this, gratifying the king. And ten stripes of it {the corselet) 

25 were of dark metal 2 , and twelve of gold, and twenty of tin 3 ; and 
three azure serpents on each side stretched towards the neck, 
like rainbows, which the son of Saturn fixes in the clouds, a 
sign to articulate-speaking men. Then round his shoulders he 

30 threw his sword 4 , and on it glittered golden studs ; and the 
sheath around it was of silver, attached to the belt by golden 
suspenders. Next he seized his good 5 shield, ample 6 , variously 
wrought, and beautiful, round which were ten brazen rings. 

35 And upon it were twenty white bosses of tin, and in the midst 7 
was one of dark metal. And a grim-visaged Gorgon crowned 8 
it, looking horribly; and around were Terror and Flight. And 
its handle 9 was of silver, and an azure snake was twisted round 
it, and there were three heads entwined, sprung from one neck. 

40 And upon his head he placed his helmet, double coned, with four 
bosses 1 , and a crest of horse-hair, and the crest nodded awfully 
from above. And he took two tough spears, pointed with brass, 
and sharp; and the brass glittered from them afar, even to 

45 heaven ; and Minerva and Juno thundered above to honour the 
king of wealthy Mycene 2 . 

Then each gave orders to his own driver to hold there his 
horses in good order by the ditch ; and themselves armed on foot, 
with their weapons, rushed forth; and a mighty clamour- arose, 

^ before morning. Quickly, along with the drivers, were they 
drawn up in front at the ditch — but the drivers were a little 
behind ; and the son of Saturn excited a dreadful tumult, and 



9 Brass. l fct)7r£ov(k — i. e . one which has reached even to Cyprus. 

2 xuavog — the specific metal is not ascertained. 

3 The corselet, apparently, was of chain or scale mail ; and the oi.uoi, layers, 
laminse, or lines, which were, successively, or in some particular order, of different 
metals. 4 ft. e. hung by a belt. 

5 atf'Trj^a Soupiv — light — or rather, one which from its construction he could 
move about with facility. 6 Covering the man — a|uupi — from top to toe. 

7 i. e. of the twenty. 8 i. e. was in the centre of it. 

9 The TsXccfjtwv here is the fixed handle — not the flexible belt, with which the 
shield was suspended from the shoulders. 

i See E. 743. 2 Mycene with much gold. 



ILIAD XL— V. 54-93. 177 

sent down a shower of blood 3 from the air above ; "because he was 
going to despatch many gallant men 4 to Hades. 55 

And the Trojans, again, on the other side, formed on the hill 
of the plain round mighty Hector, and good Polydamas, and 
iEneas, who, among the Trojans was honored by the people as a 
god, and the three sons of Antenor, Polybus, and the noble 
Agenor, and the youthful Acamas^like immortals. And Hector 60 
in the van bore his shield, equal on all sides 5 . And as a porten- 
tous star makes its appearance from the clouds, shining, and 
then again enters the black clouds ; so Hector, giving orders, 
appeared now among the first, and now among the last ; and he 65 
was all glittering with brass, like the lightning of aegis-bearing 
Jove. 

And they — as reapers opposite to each other, form swathes of 
wheat or barley along the field of a rich 6 man, and the frequent 70 
handfuls fall, — so Trojans, Achaean s, leaping upon one another, 
slew ; and neither thought of pernicious flight. And they held 
their heads equal in combat ; and they rushed on like wolves, 
and cruel 7 Discord, looking on, exulted ; for she alone of the 
gods was then present with them, whilst contending. And the 75 
other gods were not with them, but sat quiet in their mansions ; 
where beautiful apartments were built for each, along the ridges 
of Olympus. And all were finding fault with the cloud-collect- 
ing son of Saturn, because he wished to give glory to the Tro- 
jans. These, however, the father regarded not ; and retiring by SO 
himself, sat down apart from the others exulting in glory, look- 
ing both at the city of the Trojans, and the ships of the Achae- 
ans, and the splendour of armour 8 , and the destroyers, and de- 
stroyed. 

As long as it was morning, and the sacred day was increasing, 
so long the weapons flew fast upon both sides, and the people 85 
fell. But at the time when the wood-cutter gets ready his din- 
ner in the glens of a mountain, when he has wearied 9 his hands 
cutting lofty trees, and exhaustion 1 has come upon his spirit, and 
the desire of agreeable food seizes his breast; at that time the 
Danaans by their valour, broke through the phalanxes, cheering 90 
their companions along the ranks. And Agamemnon first sprang 
forward, and slew the hero Bianor himself, shepherd of people, 
and then his comrade, O'ileus, his driver. For he then, leaping 

3 Dews wet with blood — or whose moisture was blood. 4 Headr. 

5 A periphrasis, which may mean round, or square, or, what is perhaps the case 
here, obloug, the opposite sides of which are equal. Z. 117. 

6 Happy. 7 Of many groans — i. e. causing them. 8 Brass. 
9 Satiated. > Satiety. 

13 



178 ILIAD XL— Y. 94—132. 

from the car, stood against him : but Agamemnon smote him, as 
95 he was rushing straight forward, with his sharp spear, in the 
forehead ; nor did the helmet of stout brass retard the weapon, 
but it passed through both it, and the bone, and all the brain 
within was scattered. Him, then, while rushing towards him, 
he subdued. And Agamemnon, king of men, left them there 

100 with their bosoms bare, when he had stript off their tunics. 
Next he went to slay Isus and Antiphus, two sons of Priam, 
the one illegitimate, and the other legitimate, being both in one 
car. The spurious son drove the car, whilst the illustrious An- 
tiphus fought 2 . These Achilles once bound with soft osiers on 

105 the summits of Ida, taking them when watching over their 
flocks : and he set them at liberty for a ransom 3 . Now, however 
the son of Atreus, the wide ruling Agamemnon, struck one 
upon the breast above the pap with his spear ; and, again, he 
smote Antiphus beside the ear with his sword, and dashed him 

110 from the car. In haste 4 he plundered them of their beautiful 
armour, recognising them ; for he had formerly seen them at 
the swift ships, when the swift-footed Achilles brought them 
from Ida. And as a lion easily crushes the little fawns of the 

115 nimble stag, seizing them in his strong teeth, entering into their 
covert, and deprives them of 5 their tender life ; and she, although 
she happen to he very near, cannot ward off the peril, for a 
dreadful tremor comes over herself; but hastening, she rushes 
fleetly through the dense oak-thickets and forests, sweating 6 at 
the attack of the savage beast. So no one of the Trojans was 

120 then able to ward off destruction from those two, but were them- 
selves also routed by the Argives. Next Agamemnon attacked 
Pisander and bold Hippolochus, sons of the warlike Antimachus 
—he who, in particular, accepting gold—rich gifts from Alexander 
— would not suffer 7 him to restore Helen to the yellow-haired 

125 Menelaus. His two sons, then, the king of men, Agamemnon, 
seized — being in one car, for they drove their fleet horses to- 
gether—for the splendid reins had dropt from their hands, and 
they were confounded. And the son of Atreus rushed against 
them like a lion ; and they, on the other hand, supplicated from 

r 30 the car: 

" Take us alive, son of Atreus, and receive thou worthy ran- 
som. For many treasures lie in the houses of Antimachus, brass, 



2 Fought from the chariot. 

3 Receiving a ransom. 4 Hastening. 5 And takes away from them. 

6 i. e. with fright, or with her own exertions to escape. 

7 t . c. resisted the proposal on the part of the Trojans to restore her. 



ILIAD XL— V. 135—171. 179 

gold, and well-wrought iron 3 . From these our father will pre- 135 
sent thee with a boundless ransom, if he hear that we are alive 
at the ships of the Achaeans." 

Thus both, weeping, addressed the king with soothing words ; 
but received no soothing answer 9 . " If indeed ye be the sons 
of the warlike Antimachus, who once, in an assembly of the 
Trojans, advised them there to put to death Menelaus, though 140 
coming as an ambassador along with the godlike Ulysses, and 
not to send him back to the Achseans — now surely ye shall re- 
ceive punishment for the foul insult of your father." 

He said, and drove Pisander from his horses to the ground, 
striking him on the breast with his spear ; and he was stretched 
supine upon the soil. And Hippolochus leapt down ; and him 145 
next he slew upon the ground, lopping off his hands with his 
sword, and cutting off his head 1 ; and it, like a mortar, he hurled 
forward to roll through the crowd. These then he quitted ; and 
where most phalanxes were in conflict, thither he ran, and with 
him other well-greaved Achasans. Foot slew foot flying from 150 
necessity, and horse, horse 2 (and under them arose the dust from 
the plain, which the loud-sounding feet of the horses threw up) 
slaughtering with the sword 3 ; but the king, Agamemnon, con- 
stantly slaying, pursued, cheering the Argives. And as when 155 
devouring fire falls upon a forest full of trees, and the whirling 
wind bears it on all sides, and the branches fall with the roots, 
overcome by the violence of the flame ; so fell the heads of the 
flying Trojans, under the hands of Agamemnon, the son of 160 
Atreus, and many high-necked horses rattled their empty cars 
along the field of battle 4 without their brave drivers ; for they 
lay upon the earth, far more dear to vultures than to their wives. 

Jove withdrew Hector from the weapons, and from the dust, 
and from the slaughter, and from the blood, and the tumult; 
and Atrides pursued, vehemently exhorting the Danaans. 165 
And the Trojans rushed along the middle of the plain, past 
the tomb of Ilus, the son of old Dardanus, towards the wild 
fig-tree 5 , eager to reach the city ; and Atrides, shouting, still 
followed them, and stained his invincible hands with gore. 
But when now they reached the Sca?an gates and the beech- 170 
tree 5 , there at length they halted, and awaited each other. 

8 Or, much — perhaps manufactured articles of iron — swords, pikes, &c. 

9 But heard an unkind word. l Neck. 

2 i. e. the warriors from the cars. 3 With brass. 

4 The bridges of war — i. e. the spaces between the lines of the combatants. 

5 The fig-tree, and beech-tree, may express, not single trees, but plantations, or 
groves of these trees. 



180 ILIAD XL— V. 172—210. 

Others, however, still fled through the middle of the plain, 
like herds of cows, which a lion, coming at the milking 
hour 6 of night, puts trembling to flight — all, but to some one 
dreadful destruction is apparent. And of that one he breaks 

175 the neck, seizing it in his strong teeth ; and then sucks both 
the blood and all the entrails. So the son of Atreus, king Aga- 
memnon, pressed upon them, always killing the hindermost, 
while they fled. And many fell prone and supine from their 
cars beneath the hands of the son of Atreus : for around, and 

180 before the rest, he raged with his spear. But when now he was 
on the point of reaching 7 the city and the lofty wall, then at 
last the father both of men and gods, seated himself upon the 
tops of Ida, abounding in springs — descending from heaven. 
And he held the lightning in his hands, and dispatched the golden- 

185 winged Iris with a message 8 . 

" Away, swift Iris, deliver this message to Hector. As long 
as he sees Agamemnon, shepherd of the people, raging among 
the foremost combatants, destroying ranks of men, so long let 
himself keep in the rear, and let him exhort the rest of the 

190 army to fight with the enemy in fierce battle. But when he 
(Agamemnon), either struck by a spear, or wounded by an ar- 
row, shall leap into his car 9 , then will I supply himself (Hector) 
with strength 1 to kill (the Achceans) until he reach the well- 
^ benched ships, and the sun set, and awful 2 darkness come on." 

195 Thus he spake, nor did the rapid Iris, swift on her feet as the 
wind, disobey; but descended from the heights of Ida towards 
sacred Ilium. And she found the noble Hector, son of warlike 
Priam, standing in the midst of the horses and compact cars ; 
and standing near him, the swift-footed Iris said : 

200 " Hector, son of Priam, equal to Jove in counsel, Jupiter has 
sent me forth to deliver this message to thee. As long as thou 
seest Agamemnon, shepherd of the people, raging among the 
foremost combatants, and destroying ranks of men, so long do 

205 thou withdraw from combat, and exhort the rest of the army to 
light with the enemy in fierce battle. But when either struck 
by a spear, or wounded by an arrow, he shall leap into his car, 
then will he (Jove) supply thee with strength to kill, until thou 
reach the well-benched ships, and the sun set, and awful darkness 
come on. 

210 Thus having spoken, the swift-footed Iris departed. And 

6 Or rather the dead or depth of the night — whatever the derivation of aixoXyo?. 

7 When he was soon going to arrive, &c. 8 Announcing. 
9 Lit. leap upon his horses — i. e. shall step into his car. 

1 Then will I put strength into his hands to him. 2 Sacred. 



ILIAD XL— Y. 212—251. 181 

Hector sprang with his armour from his car to the ground, and 
brandishing sharp spears, ranged on all sides through the army, 
encouraging them to fight ; and stirred up furious "battle. Then 
rallied they again, and faced the Achseans; and the Argives, on 215 
the other hand, strengthened their columns. And the battle 
was renewed, and they stood front to front 3 . And Agamemnon 
first rushed out, for he wished to fight far in front of all. 

Tell me now, ye Muses, possessing Olympian mansions, who 
first now came opposed to Agamemnon, either of the Trojans 220 
themselves, or of their noble allies. Iphidamas, son of Antenor, 
both handsome and tall, who was brought up in fertile Thrace, 
mother of sheep. Cisseus, his maternal grandfather, who begot 
the fair-cheeked Theano, brought him up in his house while yet 
a little one : and when he had attained the full measure of glo- 225 
rious youth, he thero detained him ; and he gave him his own 
daughter. And having married her, he went from the bridal- 
chamber, on the rumour of the Achseans 4 with twelve curved 5 
ships, which accompanied him. The good ships indeed he af- 
terwards left at Percope ; and he, on foot, arrived at Troy — it 230 
Was he who then came against Agamemnon, the son of Atreus. 
And when these, advancing against each other, were now near, 
the son of Atreus missedj and his spear was turned aside past 
him ; but Iphidamas struck him upon the belt, under 6 the corse- 235 
let ; and he drove the spear with great force, trusting to his 
heavy hand 7 . Yet the point pierced not the embroidered belt 8 , 
but encountering the silver long before, was bent like lead. And 
the wide-ruling Agamemnon, seizing it in his hand, pulled it 
towards him, exasperated, like a lion, and wrenched it out of his 
hand 9 ; and with his sword smote him upon the neck, and 240 
loosened his limbs. Thus he, falling there, slept the brazen 
sleep, assisting his fellow-countrymen, — unhappy man,/ar from 
his young wedded virgin, whose favours he had not known 1 , and 
for whom he had given 2 much — first he gave an hundred oxen, 
and next pledged himself for a thousand goats and sheep to- 245 
gether, which were guarded for him in great numbers. Then, 
however, Agamemnon, son of Atreus, stript the body, and has- 
tened, bearing the rich armour, to the army of the Achaeans. 
And when Coon, the eldest born of Antenor, distinguished 250 
among men, beheld him, strong grief seized his eyes 3 , for his 

3 Opposite. 

4 i. e. of their expedition against Troy. 5 With high curved prows. 

c Within. > i. e. with all the force of his heavy hand. 8 i. e. the inner belt. 
9 Out of the hand of Iphidamas— Iphidamas did not hurl the spear, but used it 
like a pike. * Or rather had had but brief enjoyment 

2 i. e. to her parents. 3 Covered him as to the eyes. 



182 ILIAD XL— V. 252—287. 

fallen brother ; and he stood sideways with his spear, unseen by 
the noble Agamemnon. And he wounded him in the middle of 
the arm, below the elbow, and the point of the shining spear 
pierced through to the other side. Then did Agamemnon, king 

255 of men, shudder ; yet not even thus did he abstain from battle 
and war, but rushed upon Coon with his strong spear 4 . He 
(Coon) indeed was eagerly dragging by the foot Iphidamas his 
brother, and begot by the same father 5 , and was calling upon all 
the chiefs; but Agamemnon wounded him with his polished 

260 brazen spear below the bossy shield, whilst thus dragging his 
brother through the crowd, and loosened his limbs ; and, standing 
beside him, cut off his head over 6 Iphidamas. There the sons 
of Antenor, fulfilling their destiny by the hands of the king, son 
of Atreus, descended down to the abode of Pluto. 

And Agamemnon ranged about along the ranks of the other 

265 men, with his spear, and his sword, and huge stones, whilst the 
warm blood yet spouted from the wound. When, however, the 
wound grew dry, and the blood ceased to flow, sharp pains pene- 
trated 7 into the vigour of the son of Atreus. And as when the 

270 sharp and bitter weapon of pain seizes 8 a woman in labour, — the 
pain which the Eileithyiee, presides over child-birth, inflict, the 
daughters of Juno, keeping bitter pains in their possessions ; so 
did sharp anguish penetrate the strength of the son of Atreus. 
And he sprang into his car, and gave orders to the driver to push 

■275 on towards the hollow ships ; for he was tortured in his heart. 
And crying out, he shouted aloud to the Danaans : 

" O my friends, leaders and princes of Argives, keep ye off 
horrid battle from the sea-crossing ships, since Jove, the coun- 
sellor, permits me not to combat throughout the day with the 
Trojans." Thus he spake ; and his driver lashed his beautiful 9 

280 horses towards the hollow ships ; and they, not unwilling, flew. 
And their breasts were covered with foam 1 , and they were 
sprinkled beneath with dust, bearing the afflicted king apart 
from the battle. 

And Hector, as soon as he observed Agamemnon retreating, 

285 exhorted both the Trojans and Lycians, shouting aloud : " Ye 
Trojans, Lycians, and spear-fighting Darclans, be men, my friends, 
and exert 2 your Vigorous energies. The bravest hero is gone ; 

4 Fed by the winds — grown in a place exposed to the winds ; or possibly 
thrown with the force of the wind. 5 i. e. not of the same mother. 

6 2. e. as he fell upon the dead body of Iphidamas, which he was dragging away. 

' Entered — sunk into. 8 Has. 

9 xaXkirpi^at — which probably refers rather to the hair of the body, than of 
the mane. 1 They foamed their breasts. 2 Remember. 



LII AD XL— V. 289—329. 183 

and Jove, the son of Saturn, gives me great glory 3 . Straight- 
way then urge your solid-hoofed horses against the gallant Da- 290 
naans, that ye may win more ample glory." 

Thus saying, he excited the courage and spirit of each. And 
as when perchance some huntsman animates his white-toothed 
dogs against a wild boar or lion ; so did Hector, son of Priam, 
equal to man-slaughtering Mars, against the Aehaams, animate 295 
the bold Trojans. And he himself, with high thoughts 4 ad- 
vanced among the first, and leaped 5 into battle, like to a storm 
blowing from above, which, rushing down, rouses up the dark 
ocean. 

Then whom first, and whom last, did Hector, son of Priam, 
slay, when Jove gave him glory ? Assseus first, and Antonoug, 300 
Opites, and Dolops, son of Clyteus, and Opheltius, and Agelaus, 
and iEsymnus, and Or us and stout Hipponous. These leaders 
then of the Danaans he slew ; and afterwards the multitude 6 . 305 
As, when the west wind drives the clouds of the rapid south, stri- 
king the waters with a mighty blast ; and many a huge billow rolls 
along, and the foam scatters on high under the force of the gusty 
wind ; so in crowds were the people 7 subdued by Hector. Then 
indeed would there have been destruction, and irremediable deeds 310 
been done, and the flying Achseans would have rushed into the 
ships, had not Ulysses called upon Diomedes, son of Tydeus : 

"Son of Tydeus. why 8 is it that we are forgetful of our 
aggressive force ? Come hither then, my friend, stand by me ; 
for it will indeed be a disgrace if the plumed Hector take our 315 
ships." 

Then gallant Diomedes, answering, said unto him : " Certainly 
I will remain and resist ; but little will be our service, for cloud- 
compelling Jove chooses now to give glory to the Trojans rather 
than to us." 

He said, and dashed from his car to the ground Thymbrseus, 320 
striking him with the spear upon the left breast ; and Ulysses 
slew Molion, the godlike attendant of the king 9 . These then 
they quitted, when they had put an end to their fighting 1 ; and 
both advancing to the ranks, threw them into confusion, as when 

3 i. e. the advantage is again with us. 

4 Thinking great things — i. e. with magnificent expectations of success. 

5 Fell. 6 The troops — rank and file — as distinguished from the commanders. 

7 Heads of people — i. e. great numbers of people — where Xawv is synonymous 
with tfX^'jV, in 305. 

8 Suffering what — j. e. what is the matter with us, that we forget — do not 
exert, &c. 9 Hector. 

J Made them cease from war. 



184 ILIAD XL— V. 325—361. 

325 two boars, full of courage 2 , rush upon the hounds 3 — so renewing 
the charge, they cut down the Trojans ; and the Achseans with 
pleasure breathed again, escaping the noble Hector. Next they 
took a car and two warriors, the bravest of the people, the two 
sons of the Percosian Merops, who, above all, was skilful in 

330 augury, and forbade 4 his sons to march to the deadly war ; but 
they did not obey him, for the destinies of black death led them 
on. Them indeed did Diomedes, son of Tydeus, expert in the 
use of the spear, depriving 5 of life and breath, spoil of their 

335 beautiful armour. And Ulysses slew Hippodamus and Hypei- 
rochus. 

Then the son of Saturn, looking down from Ida, stretched 
battle among them on equal terms 6 ; and they slaughtered one 
another. The son of Tydeus then wounded, with his spear, the 
hero Agastrophus, the son of Paeon, on the hip ; for his horses 

340 were not at hand for him to escape ; and he had done very fool- 
ishly, for his attendant kept them at a distance, and he him- 
self rushed on foot through the foremost combatants, till he lost 
his life. But Hector quickly observed 7 in the ranks, and has- 
tened towards them, shouting ; and with him followed phalanxes 

345 f the Trojans. And gallant Diomedes, beholding him, shud- 
dered, and immediately addressed Ulysses, who was near : 

" Against ourselves then at last that destruction rolls — the 
mighty Hector. But come, let us stand firm, and, awaiting, re- 
pulse him." 

He said, and brandishing his long spear, hurled it, and struck 

350 him ; nor, in aiming at his head, did he miss the top of the helm. 
But the brass was repelled by the brass, nor reached the fair 
skin; for the triple-plated, beavered helmet stopt it — that 
which Phoebus Apollo gave him. And Hector hastily fell back 
a considerable space, and was mingled with the crowd ; and 

355 sun k on his knees 8 , supporting himself with his strong hand on 
the earth, and black night covered his eyes. And whilst the 
son of Tydeus was following the direction 9 of his spear far 
through the foremost combatants, where it stuck 1 in the earth, 
Hector recovered himself, and springing again into his car, 

360 drove into the ranks, and avoided black fate. And the brave 
Diomedes, rushing after him with his spear, said : 

2 Thinking greatly. 

8 The hunting dogs. * Did not suffer. 5 Forcing them to quit. 

6 i. e. neither gave way — as if each party tugged at the ends of a rope, with 

equal strength. 7 i. e. what Diomedes and Ulysses were doing* 

8 Stood, fallen on his knees — i. e. remained, or was in that position. 

9 The impetus, or force. 1 Entered in. 



ILIAD XL— V. 362—394. 185 

" Again, dog. hast thou now escaped death. Truly destruc- 
tion came close upon thee. Again has Phoebus Apollo, to whom 
thou art wont to offer up thy prayers, when going into the 
clash of spears, now rescued thee. But I will another time 
make an end of thee, falling in with thee again, if I too have an 365 
helper among the gods 2 . Now, however, I will go against 
others, whomsoever I may find." 

He said, and stript 3 the good spearman, the son of Pseon. And 
Alexander the spouse of the fair-haired Helen, leaning on 4 a 
pillar, at the tomb of Ilus 5 , the son of Dardanus, the aged leader, 370 
bent his bow at the son of Tydeus, shepherd of the people. 
He (Diomedes) indeed Was taking off the variegated corselet 
from the breast of the gallant Agastrophus, and the shield 
from his shoulders, and his heavy casque ; and Alexander drew 375 
the horn 6 of his bow, and struck him — nor did the weapon in 
vain escape from his hand — on the surface of the right foot ; 
and the arrow going right through, fixed in the ground. And, 
laughing with great joy, he sprang from his ambuscade, and, 
boasting, uttered this speech : 

" Thou art struck, and the weapon fled not from me in vain. 380 
Would that, striking thee in the bottom of thy belly, I had de- 
prived thee of life. Thus would the Trojans breathe again 
from destruction, who now tremble at thee, as bleating goats at 
a lion." 

To him said, undismayed, the brave Diomedes : " Bow*shooter 
— infamous — proud of thy curls — slave of women — if now in 385 
arms thou wouldst make trial of me, hand to hand 7 , thy bow 
would avail thee not, and numerous arrows 8 ; though now, on 
scratching the top of my foot, thou boasteth in this way. I re- 
gard 9 it no more than if a woman had wounded me, or a foolish 390 
boy ; for the arrow of a feeble, worthless man, like thee, is of no 
force 1 . Otherwise, truly, from me — if even it but slightly 
touches a man — comes the sharp arrow, and instantly renders 
him lifeless ; and the cheeks of his wife are both lacerated, and 
his children are orphans ; for, staining the earth red with his 

2 If there is to me also (i. e. as well as you) one of the gods a helper. 

3 Diomedes was turned towards the body of Paeonides, engaged in stripping it — 
and stooping, with the heel of one foot raised. 

4 Reclined behind, i. e. screened or protected by it. 
s At the tomb, built for Ilus. 

6 The elbow, or point in the middle, where the roots of the horns met — the 
point on which the arrow rested. i In opposition. 

s Diomedes upbraids him with being no spearman. 
9 1 regard it not, as if a woman, &c. l Blunt. 



186 ILIAD XL— V. 395—436. 

395 blood, he rots ; and there are more birds around him than wo- 
men." 

Thus he spake; and Ulysses, skilful with the spear, coming, 
near, stood before him ; and Diomedes, sitting down behind him, 
drew the swift arrow from his foot ; and sharp pain shot through 
his body. And he sprang into his car, and bade the driver push 
on towards the hollow ships ; for he was pained at heart. And 

400 the spear-skilled Ulysses was left alone ; nor did any of the 
Argives remain beside him, for fear had seized upon all. Then, 
distressed, he thus communed with his own bold spirit : 

" Alas ! what will become of me 2 ? Great indeed will be the 

4ua disgrace if I fly, alarmed at the multitude ; but worse if I he 
taken alone : and the son of Saturn has struck with terror the 
rest of the Danaans. But wherefore does my spirit talk these 
things with me ? for I know that cowards skulk from battle ; 

41 ^ but he who is brave in combat, must firmly stand, whether he be 
attacked, or attack another." 

Whilst he was revolving these things within his mind and 

soul, ranks of the shielded Trojans came upon him, and enclosed 

' him in the midst, bringing destruction with them. And as 

4J -5 w hen (Jogg an( j vigorous youths around rouse up a boar, and he 
comes forth out of a deep thicket, sharpening his white tusk 
within his crooked jaws ; and they rush around 3 ; and he grinds 
his teeth ; and they nevertheless await him, terrible as he is — 
so rushed then the Trojans round Ulysses, beloved of Jove ; but 
he wounded above the shoulder the brave Dei'opites first, spring- 

4^0 j n g U p 0n him with his sharp spear ; and afterwards he slew 
Thoon and Ennomus. And with his spear he next wounded 
Chersidamas, when leaping from his car, in the naval, below the 
bossed shield; and he, falling amid the dust, grasped the earth 
with his hand 4 . These he left, and next wounded with his 
spear Charops, the son of Aippasus, and own brother of the noble 
Socus. And Socus, godlike hero, advanced to give him aid ; and 
approaching, he stood very near, and addressed him in these 

. qo words 5 : 

4du « qj^ iU us t r ious Ulysses, inexhaustible in wiles and labours, 
to-day thou shalt either boast over both sons of Hippasus, having 
slain such heroes, and stripped off their armour, or else thou 
shalt lose thy life, smitten by my spear." 

.„„ Thus saying, he struck the shield, every where equal. And 

5 through the shining shield went the forceful weapon, and drove 

into the curiously-wrought corselet, and tore off all the skin 

2 What shall I suffer. See 313 of this book. 3 i. e. preparing for his onset. 
4 With the palm of his hand. 5 Spake to him a word. 



ILIAD XL— V. 43S— 477. 187 

from his side. But Pallas Minerva suffered it not to penetrate 
to the entrails of the hero. And Ulysses perceived that the 
weapon had not gone fatally into him, and falling back, he ad- 440 
dressed this speech to Socus : 

" Ah ! wretch , very soon will grievous destruction overtake 
thee. Thou hast indeed put a stop to my righting against the 
Trojans ; but I declare that death and black fate shall here be 
thine 6 this day ; and that, subdued by my spear, thou shalt give 
glory to me, and thy soul to Pluto, distinguished for his horses 7 ." 445 

He said, and the other, turning again to flight, was retreating ; 
but into his back, between the shoulders, while turned 8 , he 
( Ulysses) fixed the spear, and drove it through his breast. And 
falling, he made a crash, and the noble Ulysses gloried over 
him: 

"O Socus, son of the warlike, horse-taming Hippasus, the 450 
end of death, overtaking, has seized thee, nor hast thou escaped 9 . 
Ah ! wretch, thy father and venerable mother shall not close 
thine eyes for thee, though dead ; and ravenous 1 birds shall tear 
thee, flapping their wings frequent over thee ; but when I die, 
the noble Achaeans shall pay me funeral honour." 455 

So saying, he plucked the strong spear of the brave Socus, 
from his own body, and bossy shield ; and the blood gushed out 
as he drew it forth, and racked his spirit 2 . And the bold Tro- 
jans, when they beheld the blood of Ulysses, all, exhorting each 460 
other along the crowd, pressed upon him; and he retreated 
backwards, and shouted for his comrades. Thrice did he then 
shout as loud as he was able 3 ; and thrice the warlike Menelaus 
heard him shouting ; and forthwith addressed Ajax, being near : 

" Noble Ajax, son of Telamon, prince of the people, around 465 
me comes the voice of the intrepid Ulysses, like to him, as if 
the Trojans, cutting him off from his comrades in the keen battle, 
were pressing violently upon him, being alone. Let us go then 
into the throng ; for it is better to assist him. I fear lest, being 470 
left alone, brave though he be, amidst the Trojans, he suffer 
aught, and there be great want 4 of him among the Danaans." 

Thus speaking, he led the way, and the godlike hero followed 
along with him. Then they found Ulysses, beloved by Jove ; 
and round him Trojans were trooping, like blood-thirsty wolves 475 
about a wounded horned stag in the mountains — one which a 
man has smitten with an arrow from a bow-string. Him in- 

6 Be to thee. 7 Who used a car, as well as the rest of the gods. 

8 To him turned. 9 i. e. has overtaken thee before thou couldst escape. 

1 Flesh-eating. 2 But the blood of him, drawing it forth, gushed out to him. 
3 As much as the head of man contains. 4 Desire. 



183 ILIAD XL— V. 477—514. 

deed, flying, it escapes by its speed 5 , as long as the blood is 
warm, and its knees bear it up ; but when the swift arrow ex- 
hausts it, the ravenous wolves devour 6 it in a shady thicket 

480 amonoj the mountains. Chance 7 however brings thither a de* 
structive lion ; and the wolves fly in terror, and he devours. So 
at that time followed the Trojans, numerous and brave, round 
the wise and warlike Ulysses ; but the herOj charging with his 
spear, repelled the pitiless day 8 . Then Ajax came near, bearing 

485 his shield like a tower, and stood beside him ; and the Trojans, 
in different directions, fled in alarm. The warlike Menelaus, 
meanwhile, taking him by the hand, led him from the throng, 
till his attendant drove his horses near. And Ajax, springing 

490 upon the Trojans, slew Doryclus, the son of Priam, a spurious 
son ; and next wounded Pandocus. And Lysander he woundedj 
and Pyrasus, and Pylartes. And as when a full-flowing river 
comes down, a torrent, from the mountains upon the plain, 
swollen by the rain of Jove 9 , and bears along With it many dry 

495 oaks and many pines, and casts much debris into the sea ; so the 
illustrious Ajax, routing them, pursued them along the plain, 
slaughtering both horses and men. 

Nor as yet did Hector learn it ; for he was fighting on the 
left 1 of all the battle, by the banks of the river Scamander ; where 

500 fell the heads of men in greatest numbers, and a tremendous 
shout arose round the mighty Nestor and the warlike Idoine- 
neus. Among these did Hector mingle, performing arduous 
deeds with his spear and car-fighting skill, and desolated the 

505 phalanxes of youths. Nor yet would the noble Achaeans have 
retired from their position 2 , had not Alexander, the husband of 
the fair-haired Helen, disabled 3 Machaon, shepherd of the people, 
fighting bravely 4 — wounding him on the right shoulder witn a 
triple-barbed arrow. For him trembled then the valour-breath- 

510 ing Achasans, lest perchance, the battle giving Way 5 , the Tro- 
jans should slay him ; and immediately Idomeneus addressed the 
noble Nestor : 

" O Neleian Nestor, great glory of the Achaeans, up, mount 
thy car, and let Machaon get in beside thee, and drive thy solid- 
hoofed horses with all speed to the ships ; for a medical man is 



5 Its feet. 6 Tearing in pieces, devour. 

7 6cu\kuv — by which seems to be expressed the ordinary course of events — not 
a special direction. 8 i. e. his day — his fate — defended himself successfully. 

9 Accompanied by the shower of Jove. i With reference to the Trojans, 

2 xsXeu0o£, in a military sense — like ^Sipupa, 3 Made to cease. 

4 apiflVsuovra — equal to the bravest. 6 That of the Achaeans. 



ILIAD XL— V. 515—556, 189 

worth many others ; to cut out arrows, and to apply 6 healing 515 
remedies." 

Thus he spake, nor did the Gereman chief, Nestor, refuse ; 
but forthwith ascended his car. and Machaon mounted beside him 
the son of iEsculapius, the excellent physician ; and he lashed 
the horses, and they flew not unwilling towards the hollow ships, 520 
for thither it was agreeable to their inclination to go. 

But Cebriones, mounted beside Hector, perceived the Tro- 
jans in confusion, and addressed him in these words : " Hector, 
we two are engaged with the Danaans here in the outskirt of 
horrid-sounding battle; and now the other Trojans are in con- 525 
fusion pell-mell, their horses and themselves ; and Telamonian 
Ajax is routing them ; and I know him well, for he bears upon 
his shoulders his broad shield. Let us also then direct our horses 
and car thither, where chiefly horse and foot, dealing forth de- 
structive combat, slaughter each other, and a tremendous shout- 530 
ing arises." 

Thus then having spoken, he lashed the beautiful horses with 
his loud scourge. And they, feeling the stroke, speedily bore 
the swift car among the Trojans and Achaeans, trampling on both 
corses and shields. And with blood was the whole axle-tree 535 
beneath splashed, and the sides of the car 7 , which the drops 
from the horses' hoofs struck, and those from the tires of the 
wheels. And he was eager to enter the crowd of heroes, and 
to break through, springing upon them. And he sent evil tumult 
among the Danaans, and abstained little from combat 8 , and ranged 540 
through the ranks of the rest of men with his spear, and his 
sword, and huge stones, but avoided the battle of Telamonian 
Ajax. 

And Jove, aloft, excited fear within Ajax, and he stood para- 
lyzed, and cast behind him his shield of seven bulls' hides. And 
he was alarmed, gazing about upon the throng like a wild beast, 545 
retreating and turning again, and slowly moving knee after 
knee. And as dogs and rustic men drive a fierce lion from the 
stall of oxen — they permit him not to carry off the fatness of 
the cattle, watching all night ; but he, eager for food, rushes on, 550 
yet does not succeed, for numerous darts fly against him from 
bold hands, and blazing torches, which he dreads, though dash- 
ing on ; and in the morning he stalks away with grieving heart : 
so Ajax, afflicted in his heart, then retired, much against his will, 5c 5 
from the Trojans; for he feared for the ships of the Achrcans. 

6 To sprinkle — sc. dried herbs rubbed to powder. 

'The sides round the bottom (c5j'ppog) of the car. 

8 From the spear — he lost no time in delay — or fought incessantly. 



190 ILIAD XL— V. 55S— 599. 

And as, when a lazy 9 asss, upon whom many sticks have already 
been broken/, going a-field, forces his way in spite of the boys, 
560 and entering in, crops the high grain ; and the boys beat him 
with sticks, but their strength is feeble ; and with difficulty 
they drive him out, when he is satiated with food; so then at 
length the bold Trojans and allies, summoned from afar, pressed 
constantly upon Ajax, the mighty son of Telamon, striking the 
565 middle of his shield with missile weapons. And Ajax, some- 
times wheeling about, exerted 2 his vigorous force, and checked 
the phalanxes of the Trojans, the tamers of horses, and some- 
times he turned himself to fly. But he prevented all from 
advancing to the swift ships, and stopping, he raged between 
570 the Trojans and Achseans. And the spears from daring hands, 
rushing forward, stuck, some in his ample shield ; and many be- 
tween, before they reached his white body, fell 3 on the ground, 
though eager to be glutted with his flesh. 
575 And as soon as Eurypylus, the noble son of Eusemon, per- 
ceived him to be hard pressed with many darts, advancing, he 
stood beside him, and hurled his shining spear ; and struck Api- 
saon, the son of Phausias, shepherd of the people, in the liver, 
under the midriff; and at once relaxed his limbs. And Eury- 
580 pylus sprang upon him, and stript the armour from his shoulders. 
And then, as soon as the godlike Alexander observed him strip- 
ping off Apisaon's armour, he instantly drew his bow at Eury- 
pylus, and struck him with an arrow upon the right thigh ; and 
the reed was broken, and his thigh pained him. And he fell 
back into the column of his comrades, avoiding fate ; and shout- 
585 ing, cried with a loud voice to the Danaans : 

" O friends, leaders and princes of the Argives, rally, and 
stand 4 , and ward off the pitiless day from Ajax, who is over- 
whelmed with darts ; nor do I think that he can escape from 
590 dire-sounding war. But by all means stand against the foe. 
round the mighty Ajax, the son of Telamon." 

So spake the wounded Eurypylus, and beside him they stood 

close together 5 resting their shields upon their shoulders, and 

lifting up their spears. And Ajax met them, and, wheeling 

595 about, stood firm, when he reached the column of his comrades. 

Thus they combated like to a consuming fire. 

In the mean time the mares of the son of Neleus, sweating, 
bore Nestor from the battle, and carried Machaon, shepherd of 
the people. And the noble Achilles, swift of foot, looking forth 

9 Persevering — clogged — obstinate. 1 Been broken around it. 

2 Was mindful of. 3 Stood — i. e. fell, or pitched into the ground. 

4 Rallying, stand. 5 i. e. to shield Eurypylus. 



ILIAD XL— Y. 600—634. 1 91 

observed him ; for he stood upon the prow of his large ship, 600 
gazing at the dire struggle and lamentable rout. And immedi- 
ately he addressed Patroclus. his comrade, calling from the ship ; 
and he, hearing him within the tent, came forth, like Mars : and 
it was the commencement of misfortune to him 6 . Him first the 
gallant son of Menoetius addressed : 

" Why dost thou call me, Achilles, and what need hast thou 605 
of me 7 ?" And to him, the swift-footed Achilles, answering, 
said: 

" Noble son of Menoetius, dear to my soul, soon I think that 
the Achseans will stand supplicating round my knees; for a ne- 
cessity, no longer bearable, comes upon them. But go now, 
Patroclus, beloved of Jove, ask Nestor what man is this whom 610 
he brings wounded from the battle. Behind, indeed, he wholly 
resembles Machaon, the son of iEsculapius, but I have not seen 
the man's face 8 for the horses passed me, hastening forward. 

Thus he spake, and Patroclus obeyed his beloved comrade, 615 
and set out to run along the tents and ships of the Achaeans. 

And when they 9 {Nestor and Machaon) came to the tent of 
the son of Neleus, they themselves alighted on the fertile soil 
and Eurymedon, the attendant of the old man, took the horses 
from the car ; and they dried off the sweat from their tunics 1 , 620 
standing towards the breeze beside the shore of the sea, and 
then, entering the tent, sat down upon couches. And for them 
did fair-haired 2 Hecamede prepare a mixture 3 — she whom the 
old man brought from Tenedos, when Achilles laid it waste, the 625 
daughter of the brave Arsinoiis, — whom the Achaeans selected 
for him, because he excelled all in counsel. First she brought 
out for them a handsome, black-footed polished table ; and upon 
it a brazen tray, and on it an onion, a relish with the beverage, 
and new honey, and the fruit of the sacred corn 4 beside it. 630 
Likewise a splendid cup near them, which the old man brought 
from home, stuck full of golden studs. And its handles were 
four, and round each two golden pigeons were feeding, and it 



6 As is seen in the sequel. Patroclus, assuming the arms of Achilles, goes out 
to repel the assailing Trojans. He at first carries death and destruction with him, 
his appearance, as Achilles, creating the utmost confusion ; but he is afterwards 
attacked and killed by Hector. 

1 In what respect does need of me come to thee. 

8 Eyes. . 9 Nestor and Machaon. 

1 i. e. they cooled themselves — let their tunics dry on their bodies in the cool 
air. 2 Or well-curled. 

3 See the ingredients, 638 — 640. 4 i. e. bread or cakes. 



192 ILIAD XI.—V. 635—675. 

635 had two bottoms 5 . Another indeed with difficulty would have 
lifted it, when full, from the table ; but the aged Nestor raised 
it with ease. In it the dame, like to the goddesses, had made a 
mixture for them of Pramneian wine, and grated over it goat- 

640 milk cheese with a brazen rasp, and sprinkled white flour upon 
it ; and bade them drink, as soon as she had prepared the bev- 
erage. And after by drinking they quenched the parching 
thirst, they amused themselves with conversation, talking to 
each other. And Patroclus stood at the doors, a godlike man. 
And the old man, perceiving him, rose from his splendid seat, 

645 and, taking him by the hand, led him in, and bade him be seated. 
But Patroclus, on the other side, declined, and uttered this 
speech : 

ic No sitting for me, O Jove-supported sage ; nor wilt thou 
persuade me. To be revered and respected is he, who sent me 
forth to inquire who was this, whom thou wast bringing in 

650 wounded ; but I myself also know, for I see it is Machaon, shep- 
herd of people. And now, to make my report, I, with the 
news 6 , will go back to Achilles ; for well dost thou know, O 
Jove-supported sage, what an irascible man he is — he would soon 
iind fault even with the faultless." 

And him answered then the Gerenian Chief, Nestor, " Why 
then does Achilles thus compassionate the sons of the Achasanf, 

655 as many as have been now wounded with weapons ? Nor 
knows he at all how much of sorrow has arisen throughout the 
army ; for the bravest lie in the ships, wounded with spears or 
arrows. The brave Diomedes, son of Tydeus, has been struck 

660 with an arrow, and famed Ulysses wounded with a spear, and 
Agamemnon. Eurypylus also has been shot in the thigh with 
an arrow ; and this other I have just brought from battle, struck 
with an arrow from a bow-string; yet Achilles, brave as he is, 

665 eares not for the Danaans, nor pities them. Or waits he until 
at last the swift ships by the sea, in spite of the Argives, be 
consumed with hostile fire, and ourselves be slain one after 
another ? For my strength is not as it formerly was, in my 
flexile limbs. Would that I were as young, and my might as 

670 firm, as when a contest took place between the Eleians and us, 
about the driving away of some oxen, when making 7 reprisals, I 
slew Itymoneus, the brave son of Hypeirochus, who dwelt in 
Elis : for he, defending his cattle, was smitten among the first 
by a javelin from my hand, and there fell, and his rustics fed in 

675 confusion. And we drove from the plain very great booty, fifty 

5 i. e. it was an ccjX(pjxu<7rsXXov— a double cup. It would stand on either end, 
and each had two handles. 6 A messenger. 7 Driving. 



ILIAD XL— V. 678—713. 193 

droves of cattle, as many flocks of sheep, as many herds of swine, 
as many large flocks of goats, one hundred and fifty yellow 8 
steeds, all mares, and with many there were colts. And these 680 
we drove within Neleian Pylus, marching in the night towards 
the city : and Neleus was delighted in his mind, because much 
booty had fallen to me, going a youth to war. And with the 
appearing morn heralds cried aloud for those to come, to whom 685 
debts in rich Elis were due 9 : and the leading men of the Pylians, 
assembling, divided the spoil — for the Epeians 1 owed debts to 
many 2 — to such a degree had we in Pylus, being few, been im- 
poverished 3 . For the mighty Hercules 4 , coming in former 
years, had done us mischief, and as many as were the bravest 690 
were slain. For we were twelve sons of illustrious Neleus, of 
whom I alone was left, and all the rest perished. Emboldened 
by these things, the brazen tunicked Epeians, insulting us, had 
planned their iniquities. 

" And the old man (Neleus) selected for himself adrove of cat- 695 
tie and a large flock of sheep, picking out three hundred and 
the shepherds — for to him also was a great debt due in rich Elis, 
namely, four horses, victorious in the race 5 , with their chariots, 
going to the games 6 : for they were to run for a tripod ; and 700 
Augeas, king of men, seized them there; and dismissed the 
driver, grieved for his horses. On account of these words and 
deeds the old man, indignant, selected for himself immense num- 
bers ; and gave the rest to the people to divide, that no one 
might go defrauded of his just share. We indeed were busied ^05 
in all these matters 7 , and were performing sacrifices to the gods 
throughout the city ; and on the third day came together all the 
townsmen themselves, and their solid-hoofed horses, in full force, 
and with them were armed the two Morions, being still youths, 
and not yet knowing how to make the best use of their vigor- 
ous force 8 . For there is a town, a lofty hill, Thryoessa, far off, 710 
on the banks of Alpheus, the last town of sandy Pylus — andihis 
they invested eager to overthrow it. And when they had cros- 
sed the whole plain, Minerva, flying 9 from Olympus, came to us 

8 Chesnuts — or bright bays. 

9 i. e. those whose property had been plundered, and for whose sake the reprisals 
had been made. i Who occupied a portion of Elis. 

2 i. e. the Epeians had plundered many of the Pylians. 

3 i. e. to such a degree had our numbers been reduced, that we were then unable 
to prevent their devastations — for a few years before, Hercules had killed, &c. 

4 The Herculean might. 5 Bearers off of prizes. 

6 Going to the prizes. ' i. e. in distributing the booty. 

s Not yet well knowing their vigorous force. 9 Running. 

14 



194 ILIAD XL— V. 714—756. 

in the night as a messenger, to arm us ; nor did she assemble at 

715 Pylos people unwilling, but very desirous of fighting. And 
Neleus would not allow me to arm, and concealed my horses, for 
he said that I did not yet understand warlike matters. But 
even thus I was conspicuous among our horsemen, although on 

720 foot, for so did Minerva lead the battle 1 . Now there is a certain 
river, the Minyeius, emptying itself into the sea near Arene, 
where we horsemen of the Pylians awaited the lovely morning, 
and bodies of men on foot poured in. Thence in full force, with 

725 our weapons, armed, we reached at mid-day the sacred stream 
of Alpheus. There having offered fine victims to almighty Jove, 
a bull to the Alpheus, and a bull to Neptune, and an unbroken 
heifer to the blue-eyed Minerva, we then took our meal through 

730 the army in divisions ; and each slept in his armour by the 
streams of the river. The bold Epeians had already invested 
the town, eager to lay it waste ; but first there was a mighty 
work of Mars for them 2 ; for as soon as the bright sun arose 
above the earth, we engaged them in battle, praying first to 

735 Jove and to Minerva. And when now the strife of the Pylians 
and Eleians was begun 3 , I was the first who slew a man, the 
warrior Mulius, and carried off his solid-hoofed steeds ; and he 
was the son-in-law of Augeas, and possessed his eldest daughter, 

740 the yellow-haired Agamede, who was acquainted with all medi- 
cinal plants, which the wide earth produces 4 . Him, as he came 
against me, I smote with my brazen spear. And he fell in the 
dust ; and, springing into his car, I stood then among the fore- 
most combatants : and the bold Epeians fled in all directions in 
terror, when they beheld the man fallen, the leader of their 

745 horse, who was their bravest in battle 5 . And I rushed upon 
them like to a black storm ; and I took fifty chariots, and in 
each two men bit the ground with their teeth, subdued by my 
spear. And now indeed I should have slain the young Molions, 

750 the sons of Actor 6 , had not their father, wide-ruling Neptune, 
preserved them from the war, covering them with thick cloud. 
Then Jupiter bestowed great glory upon the Pylians ; for so far 
we followed over the shield-covered plain, both slaying them, 
and gathering up rich armour, until we had driven our horses to 

755 Buprasium, very fertile in corn, and to rocky Olenia and Alei- 
sium, where is the famous 7 Hill — from thence Minerva turned 

1 So administer or direct the conflict — that, though I set out on foot, I was soon 
among the equestrians. 2 Appeared — or presented itself. 

3 Was. 4 As many as. 5 Was the best to fight. 6 i. e. their reputed father* 
7 Is called — i. e. has the name of KoXwvx), or Hill — appellatively, from some 
special occasion not assigned. 



ILIAD XI.— V. 758—797. 195 

again the army. There having killed the last man, I left him ; 
and the Achaeans drove back 8 their horses from Buprasium to 
Pylus ; and all gave glory to Jove, of the gods, and to Nestor, of 760 
men. Such was I — if ever indeed I was 9 — along with men. 
But Achilles will enjoy alone his valour: truly I think that he 
will hereafter greatly lament, when the people hate perished. 
O, my friend, thee Menoetius surely thus commanded on that 
day, when he sent thee from Phthia to Agamemnon. For, 765 
being both of us within, I and noble Ulysses, We well heard 
every thing in the halls, how he charged thee ; for we had come 
to the well-built 1 mansions of Peleus, collecting an army in 
fertile Achaeis. There then we found the hero Menoetius within, 770 
as well as thee, and Achilles beside thee ; and the aged chief, 
Peleus, was burning the fat legs of an ox to Jove, who delights 
in thunder, within the court-yard of his palace 2 , and held a 
golden cup, pouring the dark wine over the blazing sacrifice. 
You were both then busied about the flesh of the ox, and we at 775 
the time stood in the vestibule : and Achilles, astonished, leapt 
up, and, catching us by the hand, led us in, and bade us be 
seated ; and put before us the feast of hospitality, which are 
proper for guests. And when we had satisfied ourselves with 
eating and drinking, I began the discourse, exhorting you to 780 
accompany us. Ye were both very willing, and they both gave 
you many injunctions 3 . The aged Peleus indeed bade his son 
Achilles always to be bravest, and be conspicuous above others: 
and to thee, again, Menoetius, the son of Actor, thus gave charge : 
i My son, by birth indeed Achilles is thy superior ; but thou art 785 
the elder. He is much better in strength ; but do thou give 
him good advice, and suggest to him, and direct him, and he 
will surely be advised for his good.' Thus did the old man 
command thee, and thou art forgetful : but even now mention 790 
these things to the warlike Achilles — perchance he may be per- 
suaded. For who knows but, advising him, thou mayst, with 
the gods' assistance 4 , move his mind ? For the persuasion of a 
friend is food. But if within his heart he avoid some oracle 5 , 
and his divine mother have stated any thing to him from Jove, 
let him at least send thee forth; and with thee let the rest of 795 
the army of the Myrmidons follow, that thou mayst be some aid 
to the Danaans. Let him likewise give thee his beautiful 

s Held back 9 See T. 180, and Od. O. 288. 

1 " To the conveniently habitable." 

2 Literally " the grass" — that plot of grass within the court. 

3 Charged you much. 4 "With a god. 
5 ». e. on account of oracle— or especial intimation from his mother. 



196 ILIAD XL— V. 799—839. 

armour to wear in battle, that the Trojans, taking thee for him, 

800 may abstain from battle, and the brave sons of the Achaeans, now 
exhausted, may breathe again, and there be a little rest for them 
from war. And easily will you, who are fresh in battle, drive 
back wearied men towards the city, from the ships and tents." 

Thus he spake and he roused the spirit within his breast ; and 
he set out to run along the ships to Achilles, the descendant of 

805 iEacus. And when now Patroclus, running, arrived at the ships 
of the godlike Ulysses, where were the forum and seat of Jus- 
tice, where also were the altars of the gods erected; there 
Eurypylus 6 , the noble son of Euaemon, wounded with an arrow 

810 in the thigh, limping from the battle, met him. Down ran the 
sweat profuse from his shoulders and head, and from his severe 
wound the black blood gushed j nevertheless his spirit was firm. 
And beholding, the gallant son of Menoetius pitied him, and, 
grieving, uttered these winged words : 

815 "Alas! wretched men, leaders and chiefs of the Danaans; so 
then were ye, far from your friends and native land, to glut the 
swift dogs at Troy with your white fat ? Come, then, tell me 
this, O Jove-supported hero, Eurypylus, will the Achaeans still 

8^0 at all sustain the mighty Hector, or will they now be destroyed, 
subdued by his spear ?" 

And him, in return, the prudent Eurypylus addressed : " No 
longer, noble Patroclus, will there be defence 7 for the Achaeans, 
but they will fall back upon 8 the black ships. For already all, 
as many as were once the bravest, lie at the ships, struck from 

"^ a distance, or wounded in close combat, by the hands of the 
Trojans — whose strength ever increases. But do thou now 
save me, leading me to my black ship ; and cut the arrow from 
my thigh, and wash the black blood from it with warm water ; 

830 and spread upon it soothing herbs, salubrious, which they say 
thou wert taught by Achilles, whom Chiron instructed, the most 
just of the Centaurs. For as to the surgeons, Podaleirius and 
Machaon, the one, I think, lies wounded 9 at the tents, and him- 

835 S elf in want of a skilful surgeon ; and the other still abides the 
sharp battle of the Trojans upon the plain." 

And him again the brave son of Menoetius addressed : " How 
then will these things turn out ? What shall we do, O hero 
Eurypylus ? I am going that I may deliver a message to the 
warlike Achilles, with which the venerable Nestor, the bulwark 



6 Resumed from line 595. 

f Strength. 8 Rush into — take refuge in them, as in M. 107. 

9 Having a wound. 



ILIAD XI.— V. 840—847. 197 

of the Achseans, entrusted me : but not even thus will I neglect 840 
thee in affliction 1 ." 

He said, and taking the shepherd of people in his arms 2 , 
bore him to the tent ; and his attendant, seeing him, spread under 
him bulls' hides. There, laying him at his length, Patroclus cut 
with a knife the sharp bitter arrow from his thigh, and washed 
the black blood from it with warm water. Then he put upon 845 
it a bitter root 3 , an anodyne, rubbing it in his hands, which re- 
moved all his agony : and the wound was dried up, and the blood 
ceased to flow. 

1 Afflicted. 2 Under his breast. 

3 i. e. dried, which he broke into powder, and sprinkled on the wound, to stop 
the bleeding— operating as a styptic. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK XII. 



ARGUMENT. 
The Trojans assail the ramparts, and Hector forces the gate*, 

Thus then was the gallant son of Menoetius dressing the 
wounded Eurypylus at the tents ; and the Argives and Trojans 
still fought in masses ; nor was the ditch of the Danaans likely 
to keep them off any longer, nor the broad rampart above 1 , 
5 which they had erected for the defence of the ships j and had 
drawn a fosse around — but had not given sacred hecatombs to* 
the gods — in order that it, containing them within, might protect 
their swift ships, and their great booty. And it was built against 
the will of the immortal gods, and on that account it was not 

10 long destined to stand 2 . As long as Hector was alive, and Achilles 
indignant, and the city of king Priam undestroyed; so long 
was the mighty wall of the Achseans firm. But when all 3 the 
bravest of the Trojans were dead, and many of the Argives 
were, some subdued, and some left, and in the tenth yesr the 

15 city of Priam was laid waste, and the Argives had departed 
in ships to their dear native land ; then at length Neptune and 
Apollo took counsel to demolish the wall, bringing in the might 
of rivers, as many as flow into the sea from the Idsean mountains,. 

20 both the Rhesus and the Heptaporus, and the Caresus, and the 
Rhodius, and the Granicus, and the iEsepus^ and the divine 
Scamander, and the Simoi's, where many shields and helmets 4 
had fallen in the dust, and a race of heroes 5 . The mouths of 

1 That is, above the fosse. 

2 On that account it was not long time firm. 3 As many as were. 
4 Shields covered with the hides of oxen, and helmets with three cones, 

5 Demi-god men. 



ILIAD XIL— V. 24-67. 199 

all these to the same spot Phoebus Apollo turned, and for nine 
days directed the flood against the wall ; and Jove in the mean 25 
time rained incessantly, that he might the sooner render the 
walls overwhelmed by the sea. And the shaker of the earth, 
himself, with the trident in his hands, led them on; and then 
sent among the waves all the foundations of beams and stones, 
which the labouring Achasans had laid. And he made all level 30 
along the rapid Hellesponyand again covered the vast shore with 
sand, demolishing the wall ; and turned the rivers to go again 
to the channels, where they had before poured their sweet-flow- 
ing water. 

Thus were Neptune and Apollo to act thereafter ; but now 
the battle and the shout raged around the well-built wall, and 35 
the stricken beams 6 of the towers resounded : and the Argives, 
subdued by the scourge of Jove, were kept huddled together at 
the hollow ships, dreading Hector, the furious causer of flight ; 
for he fought as before like a whirlwind. And as, when a boar 40 
or lion, raging in his might, turns upon dogs and huntsmen, and 
they, drawing themselves up close like a wall, stand against him, 
and hurl numerous javelins from their hands ; but never is his 
bold heart alarmed, nor is he put to flight, for his bravery kills 
him, and he frequently turns around attacking the lines of men ; 45 
and wherever he directs his attack, there give way the lines of 
men : so Hector, going along the crowd, rolled along, exhorting his 
companions to cross the fosse. Nor did his swift-footed horses 
dare it ; but neighed much, standing near the extreme brink ; ^0 
for the wide ditch affrighted them, nor indeed was it easy to 
come close and leap across 7 , or to pass it 8 , for the edges of it, on 
both sides, were elevated 9 ; and above, it was fortified with 55 
sharp palisades, which the sons of the Achseans had fixed, nu- 
merous and large, as a defence against hostile men. There a 
horse dragging a s wift-gliding car, might not easily enter, but 
the foot eagerly sought if they could accomplish it. Then in- °0 
deed Polydamas, standing near, addressed the brave Hector :- 

" Hector, and ye other leaders of the Trojans and allies, un- 
wisely 1 do we drive the fleet horses over the ditch, for it is very 
difficult to pass ; since sharp palisades stand in it, and near them 
is the wall of the Achseans. There it is impossible for the car- 65 
men to descend, or to fight on the other side ; for the place is 
narrow, where I think they will get wounded. For if indeed 

6 oovgara. mean not the spears of the enemy, but the timbers of the towers. 
i i. e. they could not get close to the edge — to spring from it. The soil was 
thrown up at the edge of the ditch. 

8 i. e. by going into the ditch, and climbing up on the other side. 

9 Stood covered— or surmounted. l i. e. to attempt to do so. 



200 ILIAD XII. —V. 68—109. 

high-thundering Jove, designing evil against them, dooms them 
wholly to destruction, and wishes to assist the Trojans, then 

70 should I be willing that this be done at once, that the Achaaans 
perish here inglorious, far from Argos. If however they turn 
again, and there be a repulse from the ships, and we get ham- 
pered in the deep 2 ditch, I do not suppose that then even a 
messenger will return back to the city, through the Achaeans 

75 rallying again. Come then, let us all be persuaded to do as I 
shall advise. Let our drivers keep the horses at the ditch, and 
let ourselves on foot, with our weapons, armed, all follow Hector 

80 in a body; and the Achaeans will not await us, if indeed the 
ends of destruction hang over them 3 ." 

Thus spake Polydamas ; and the safe counsel pleased Hector : 
and immediately he leaped with his armour from his car to the 
ground. Nor did the other Trojans remain assembled in the 
cars, but sprang from them, as soon as they beheld the noble 

85 Hector alight. Then each commanded his own driver to hold 
the horses in good order there at the ditch ; and they, separa- 
ting, arranging themselves, drawn up in five divisions, followed 
along with their leaders. Some then went with Hector and 
noble Polydamas, who were most numerous and brave, and most 

90 resolute to break 4 down the wall, and fight at the hollow ships. 
And Cebriones followed, a third ; for Hector left another, of less 
note than Cebriones, with his car. And the second division 5 
Paris commanded, and Alcathous, and Agenor. And the third 

95 Helenus and the godlike De'iphobus, two sons of Priam, and 
their third was the hero Asius — Asius Hyrtacides, whom fiery, 
large horses brought from Arisba, from the river Selleei's. And 
iEneas, the brave son of Anchises, led the fourth; along with 
him were the two sons of Antenor, Archilochus, and Acamas, 
100 well skilled in every kind of fight, And Sarpedon commanded 
the noble allies, and took, as his lieutenants, Glaucus and the 
warlike Asteropaeus ; for they appeared to him, next to himself, 
to be decidedly the bravest of the rest ; but he himself surpassed 
all. And when then they had formed a close phalanx 6 with 
105 shields, 7 they advanced, full of courage, straightway against the 
Danaans ; nor did they think the Danaans would sustain them, 
but would rather fall back on the black ships. 

There the rest of the Trojans, and allies, summoned from afar, 
obeyed the counsel of good Polydamas ; but Asius, son of Hyrta- 

2 Dug. 3 i. e. if final destruction — if they were destined to perish. 

4 Having broken to fight. 6 Others — the next. 

6 Fitted each other — joined together with shields — forming a line or rampart of 
shields. 7 Made or worked bulls — i. e. shields covered with bulls' hides. 



ILIAD XII.— V. 110—151. 201 

cus, prince of heroes, would not leave his horses and attendant 110 
driver, but with them advanced towards the swift ships — foolish 
man 1 — never was he, escaping his evil destiny, to return again, 
exulting, with his steeds and car from the ships to lofty Ilium. 115 
For his unlucky fate first overwhelmed him, by the spear of 
Idomeneus, the illustrious son of Deucalion. For he rushed to- 
wards the left of the ships 2 , where the Achasans returned 3 from 
the plain with their horses and cars. Thither he drove his 
coursers and his car, nor at the gates found he the portals shut, 120 
or the long bar up 4 , but the men kept them wide open, that they 
might receive safe 5 any of their comrades, flying from battle to- 
wards the ships. Thither in high spirits 6 he his steeds drove 
straight, and his men, shouting aloud, followed along with him : 125 
for they supposed that the Achaaans would no longer sustain 
them, but fall back upon the black ships 7 — fools, for at the gates 
they found two of the bravest men, the bold sons of the warlike 
Lapithaa, one, a son of Pirithous, the gallant Polypoetes, the 
other, Leonteus, equal to man-slaying Mars. These indeed 130 
stood in front of the lofty gates, as on the mountains stand high- 
topped oaks, which abide the wind and rain at all seasons 8 , fixed 
firm by their large and wide-spreading roots ; so they, trusting 135 
to their prowess 9 and strength, awaited the mighty Asius coming 
on, and fled not. And direct towards the well-built wall — lifting 
high their shields 1 , advanced, with loud shouting, king Asius 2 , 
and Jamenas, and Orestes, and Acamas, son of Asius, and (Eno- 140 
maus. But they 3 meanwhile, remaining within, exhorted the 
well-armed Achaeans to fight in defence of the ships ; and when 
they perceived the Trojans rushing to the wall, — and there was 
a cry and a rout of the Danaans, — both darting out fought be- 145 
fore the gates, like two wild boars, which catch the coming 
tumult of men and dogs in the mountains, and, advancing oblique- 
ly to the attack, break down the wood about them, cutting it off 
at the roots ; and in their jaws is a grinding of teeth, till some 
one, having hurled a spear, deprive them of life. So rang the 150 
shining brass upon the breasts of these men, struck in front, for 

i v*)<7r«o£_ like a fool— or foolishly. 

2 Not the left of Asius— but of the ships. The ocSog k^^Xatfia of H. 340 — 
near the station of Ajax and Idomeneus. 

3 i. e. where they usually did — the one common entrance. 

4 The leaves of the gate opened inwards and were secured by a bar. 

5 If they might save. « Thinking highly. 

7 i. e. take refuge in them, and attempt to escape. 8 All days. 

9 Hands. > Dry bulls — i. e. hides — shields. 

2 oJ a/JKpi Atfiov, &c. i. e. Asius and his troops. 3 Polypoetes and Leonteus. 



202 ILIAD XII.—V. 154— 187. 

they fought very bravely, trusting to the troops above 4 , and to 

155 their own valour. And others 5 hurled stones 6 from the well- 
constructed towers, in defence 7 of themselves, the tents, and the 
rapid moving ships. And as snow-flakes fall to the ground, 
which a high wind, whirling along the shady clouds, pours down 
thick upon the fertile earth ; so poured the weapons from the 

160 hands both of Achasans and of Trojans ; and helmets and bossed 
shields, struck with large stones, rattling rang 8 . Then indeed 
Asius, son of Hyrtacus, groaned, and struck both his thighs, and 
bitterly uttered this speech : 

" Father Jove, and thou too art now become plainly a liar ; for 

I65 I never thought 9 the Achaean heroes would abide our might and 
invincible hands. And they, as wasps streaked in the middle 1 , 
or bees, which make their nests by some mountain path, nor 

1^0 quit their hollow mansion, but, awaiting their pursuers 2 , fight 
for their young ; so these, though being only two, will not retire 
from the gates until they be either slain or taken." 

Thus he spake ; nor did he, in saying these things, bend the 
mind of Jove, for his heart willed to bestow glory 3 upon Hector. 

1^5 Meanwhile the rest maintained the combat at the other gates 4 : 
but it would be difficult for me, like a god, to relate all these 
things ; for round the wall in every part arose a raging fire of 
stones; and the Argives, although hard-pressed, perforce de- 
fended their ships; and all the gods were grieved in their 

ISO minds, as many as were well-wishers of the Danaans in battle. 

But the Lapithse 5 began the battle and destruction. There, 

then, the son of Peirithous, the brave Polypcetes, with his spear 

smote Damasus, through the brazen-cheeked helmet ; nor did 

the brazen casque resist, but the brazen point broke quite 

185 through the bone, and all the brain within was scattered. And 
him, rushing on, he subdued ; and afterwards he slew Pylon and 
Ormenus. And Leonteus, a branch of Mars, wounded Hippo- 

4 i. e. on the wall. 5 i. e. the men on the wall on each side of the gate, 

6 Stones such as fill the hand. 7 Defending. 

8 Sounded a dry sound around. 

9 i. e. relying upon some supposed assurances from Jove of the contrary. 

1 (ULStfov cuoXoj — aioXog will express a quick, glancing motion, and may apply 
to the rapid movement of the wings, which seem as if they were in the middle of 
the insect* But more probably the phrase refers to the shape of it, and difference 
of colour. 2 Hunters — i. e. those who are in pursuit of their honey. 

3 i. e. that of first breaking in upon the ships. 

4 ocXXo aXXo»g — some at one, some at another. There was but one gate ac- 
cessible for cars by the road across the ditch — and that Asius attempted. 

6 Polypcetes and Leonteus. 128. 



ILIAD XII.— V. 189—229. 203 

machus, the son of Antimachus, with his spear, striking him at 
the belt. And again, drawing his sharp sword from the scab- 19D 
bard, he, springing through the crowd, smote Antiphates first, 
hand to hand ; and he was stretched prone upon the earth ; and 
then Menon, and Iamenus, and Orestes, all, one upon another, 
he brought to the fertile earth. 

Whilst these were stripping them of their glittering armour, 195 
the youths, who were the most numerous and the bravest, fol- 
lowed Polydamas and Hector, and were very eager to break 
down the wall, and burn the ships with fire. They, however, 
still hesitated, standing by the ditch : for a bird flew over them 200 
while thus eager to cross it — a high-flying eagle, towards the 
left 6 , dividing the army, bearing in his talons a huge bloody ser- 
pent, alive, and still writhing j and not yet was it forgetful of 
fighting : for, twisting backwards, it wounded him, who grasped 205 
it, upon the breast, near the neck ; and he cast it from him to 
the ground, afflicted with pain, and dropt it into the midst of 
the crowd, and, screaming, flew away on the blasts of the wind. 
And the Trojans shuddered when they beheld the twisting ser- 
pent lying in the midst, a prodigy of aegis-bearing Jove. Then 
Polydamas thus addressed the gallant Hector, standing beside : 210 

" Hector, thou almost always chidest me in the assemblies, 
when I give my advice 7 , for neither seems it to thee right that 
a private man should ever speak independently 8 , either in coun- 
cil or in war ; but he must ever enforce thy authority 9 . Yet I 
will again speak as appears to me to be best. Let us not then 215 
go to fight with the Danaansfor their ships ; for so do I conceive 
that it will end, if in reality this bird came upon the Trojans 
while eager to cross the ditch — as the high-flying eagle came, 
towards the left, dividing the army, and bearing in its talons a 
huge bloody living serpent, but presently dropped it, before it 220 
reached its loved nest, nor succeeded in carrying it to give to 
its young — so we, if even we shall with great force break 
through the gates and wall of the Achaeans, and the Achajans 
give way, — not in good order 1 shall we return by the same ways 225 
from the ships ;, for we shall leave behind us many of the Tro- 
jans, whom the Aeh&ans, contending for the ships, will subdue 
in arms. Thus indeed would the soothsayer, who is well skilled 
in auguries, interpret, and the people be convinced by him/' 

e That is, he flew between the Grecian and Trojan armies, having the latter 
upon his left. 

i Speaking good things — i. e. what appear to the speaker to be so— a periphrasis 
for advising, or delivering an opinion. 8 flra£s|. 

9 But always to increase thy power. l i. e, but with shameful rout 






204 ILIAD XII.— V. 230—272. 

230 And, looking sternly, the plumed Hector thus addressed him: 
" O Polydamas, thou no longer speakest what is agreeable to 
me. Thou mightest have known how to devise another counsel 
better than this. If however thou sayest this seriously, then 
indeed have the gods themselves taken thy senses from thee 2 , 

235 who bids me be forgetful of the counsels of high-thundering 
Jove, which he himself undertook for me, and confirmed. And 
thou exhortest me to pay obedience to winged 3 birds — to them 
I turn not, nor regard at all, whether they fly to the right to- 

240wards the morning and the sun, or to the left towards the 
darkening west. We will be obedient to the counsel of 
mighty Jove, who rules over all mortals and immortals. The 
one best augury is — to fight for our country. Why fearest thou 

245 war and battle ? For if even all the rest of us should perish at 
the ships of the Argives, thou needst not be afraid of perishing, 
for thy heart is neither staunch nor warlike. And if thou shalt 
skulk from the combat, or turn another from battle, dissuading 

250 him from it with thy words, forthwith, struck with my spear, 
shalt thou lose thy life." 

Thus then having spoken, he led on ; and they followed him 
with a mighty shout. And Jove, delighting in thunder, sent a 
storm of wind from the Idaean heights, which bore the dust right 

255 towards the ships ; and he damped the spirit of the Achseans, 
and bestowed glory upon the Trojans and Hector. Trusting 
then to his prodigies, and their own valour, they endeavoured 
to break down the vast wall of the Achasans. And they tore 
down the embrazures of the towers, and demolished the battle- 
ments, and wrenched away the projecting piles, which the 

260 Achseans had placed first in the earth, to serve as supports of 
the towers. These then they tore down, and hoped to break 
through the wall of the Achgeans. 

The Danaans however did not yet retire from their position ; 
but covering the breastworks with their shields 4 , they shot, from 
behind them, the enemies, as they came up to the wall. And both 

265 the Ajaxes ranged in every direction upon the towers, exhorting 
the troops, and rousing the valour of the Achaeans. One they 
encouraged with kind, another they railed at with severe words, 
whomsoever they beheld at all relaxing in the battle : 

" O my friends, the best, the middling, and the worst of the 

270 Argives — for all men are not alike in war — now is there work 
for all ; and ye yourselves perhaps know that. Let no one turn 
back towards the ships, listening to the threatener (Hector); but 

2 The speech so far is the same as that of Paris to Alexander, H. 357 — 360. 

3 Which expand their wings. 4 Ox-hides. 



ILIAD XII.— Y. 274—316. 205 

go forward 5 and exhort each other, that Olympian Jove, the 
darter of lightning, may grant us repulsing the battle, to pursue 275 
the enemy to the city." 

Thus they shouting in front, excited the Achasans to combat 6 . 
And as flakes of snow fall thick upon a wintry day, when provi- 
dent Jove has begun to snow upon mankind, producing his 280 
arrows, and, having lulled the winds, he pours them 7 down with- 
out ceasing, till he covers the tops and highest peaks of the 
lofty mountains, and the lotus-plains and rich works of men, and 
likewise they are poured upon the bays and promontories of the 
hoary sea, and the approaching wave melts 8 them ; but all other 285 
things are covered beneath, when the shower of Jove comes 
down heavily ; so flew the stones of these hurling thick on both 
sides, some against the Trojans, and others from the Trojans 
against the Achseans; and along the whole wall rose the tumult. 

Nor even then would the Trojans and illustrious Hector have 290 
burst open the gates of the wall, and the long bar, had not the 
provident Jupiter urged on his own son, Sarpedon, against the 
Argives, like a lion against curly-horned oxen. For he imme- 
diately held before him his shield on all sides equal, beautiful, 295 
brazen, plated ; which the smith had plated over, and under- 
neath fastened together numerous bull's hides, with closely 
connected golden wires round its orb. This then holding be- 
fore him, he advanced on, brandishing two spears, like a moun- 
tain-bred lion, which has been long in want of food, and his bold 300 
spirit prompts him, in order to get at the sheep, to go in even to 
the close fold. For even if he find there the shepherds, keeping 
watch over their flocks with dogs and spears, he cannot bear to 
fly without attempting the fold ; but, springing in, either 305 
snatches up one, or is himself wounded among the first by a 
javelin from a swift hand. So then did his spirit impel the 
godlike Sarpedon to attack the wall, and to burst through the 
bulwarks ; and instantly he addressed Glaucus, son of Hippolo- 
chus: 

" Glaucus, why are we most honored in Lycia, in seat ? , in 310 
meats, and in full cups, and why do all look to us, as to gods ? 
Why possess we also a large and beautiful tract of vine-bearing 
and corn-bearing lands by the banks of Xanthus ? For this — 
it now behooves us, advancing among the foremost Lycians, to 315 
stand firm, and to encounter burning battle ; in order that some 



9 L e. rather keep your face to the enemy. 

6 Stirred up the battle of the Greeks. 7 His xyfka — snows, &c. 8 Checks, 

9 Perhaps in council — or, more likely, at the head of the table. 



206 ILIAD XII— V. 319—358. 

of the closely-armed Lycians may say, l not ingloriously 1 do our 

320 kings govern Lycia, and eat the fat sheep, and the choice sweet 
wine; but their valour likewise is excelling, for they fight 
among the foremost Lycians.' O my friend, if by avoiding this 
war, we could be forever exempt from old age and death 2 , 

325 neither would I myself combat in the van, nor urge thee into 
glorious battle. But now, notwithstanding ten thousand fates 
of death press upon us, which it is not possible for a mortal to 
escape or shun, let us go on — either we shall give glory to some 
one, or some one to us." 

Thus he spake, nor did Glaucus shrink, or refuse, but both 

330 went on, leading a vast body of Lycians. And seeing them, 
Menestheus, son of Peteeus, shuddered, for they advanced to- 
wards his tower 3 , bringing destruction. And he looked round 
along the rampart 4 of the Achasans, if he might see any of the 

335 leaders, who could repel the battle from his comrades ; and ob- 
served the two Ajaxes, insatiable of war, standing, and Teucer, 
just come from his tent, near at hand. Yet it was not at all in 
his power, shouting, to be heard ; for so great was the din ; and 
the clash reached to heaven of stricken shields, and of horse- 

340 haired helmets, and of the gates. For all were closed : and they 
standing beside them, endeavoured to burst 5 them open by force, 
and enter. And he hastily dispatched the herald Thootes to 
Ajax: 

" Go, noble Thootes, run and call 6 the Ajaxes — both in pre- 

345 ference, for that would be best of all — since fatal ruin will soon 
reach us here. For so much upon us press the leaders of the 
Lycians, who, before, have ever been impetuous in hard conflicts. 
And if to them also, there, labour and contest arise, let the brave 

350 Telemonian Ajax alone come, and with him let Teucer follow, 
well skilled in the bow." 

Thus he spake, nor did the herald, having heard him, diso- 
bey, but ran 7 along the wall of the brazen-mailed Achaeans, and 
proceeding, stood beside the Ajaxes, and immediately addressed 
them: 

"Ye Ajaxes, leaders of brazen-mailed Achasans, the beloved 

355 son of Jove-supported Peteeus, adjures you to go thither, that 
ye may share 8 his toil, though ever so little a while — both indeed 
in preference, for that would be far the best of all — since fatal 
ruin will soon come there ;— to such a degree press on him the 

1 Or, unworthily. 2 Without old age, and immortal. 

3 <rov tfupyov — i. e. the portion of the wall, where he was stationed. 

4 <jru£yov — i. e . plainly, the wall. 5 Bursting to enter, &c. 
6 Running, call, &c. 7 Went to run. 8 Meet, oppost. 



ILIAD XII.— V. 360—401. 207 

leaders of the Lycians, who before have ever been impetuous 360 
in hard conflicts. And if here also war and struggle arise, let 
the brave Telamonian Ajax alone come, and with him let Teu- 
cer follow, well skilled in the bow." 

Thus he spake, nor did the mighty Telamonian Ajax refuse. 
Instantly he addressed the son of Oi'leus in these winged words : 365 

"Ajax, here standing, do thou and the gallant Lycomedes 
exhort the Danaans to tight bravely ; and I will go thither and 
share the battle ; and will return again when I shall have well 
assisted them." 

Thus then having spoken, Telamonian Ajax departed, and 370 
with him went Teucer, his brother, and son of the same father ; 
and, along with them, Pandion carried the bent bow of Teucer. 
As soon as they, going along within the wall, reached brave 
Menestheus's tower — and they came up to them when they 
were hard pressed, for the gallant leaders and chiefs of the Ly- 375 
cians were mounting upon the bulwarks, like to a dark whirlwind 
— then they set-to to battle against them, and the shout arose. 
And Telamonian Ajax first slew a man, a comrade of Sarpedon, 
the brave Epicles, striking him with a rugged stone, one which, 380 
within the wall, large, lay at the top, by the battlement. A man 
would not easily raise it with both hands, not even although in 
his prime, one of such as men now are ; but he, lifting it on 
high, threw it, and burst the four-coned helmet, and crushed 
along with it at once all the bones of the skull ; and he, like to 385 
a diver 9 , fell from the lofty tower, and his breath left his bones. 
Teucer likewise, from the high wall, wounded, with an arrow, 
Glaucus, the brave son of Hippolochus, as he vms rushing on, in 
the part where he saw his arm bared ; and made him cease from 
combat. And he sprang back from the wall, concealing himself, 390 
that none of the Achaeans might perceive him wounded, and 
exult over him with words. And a pang came upon Sarpedon, 
on account of the departure of Glaucus 1 , for he perceived it at 
once ; but yet he was not neglectful of the contest ; for he 
struck Alcmaon, son of Thestor, hitting him with his spear, and 395 
tore out the spear again ; and Alcmatfn, following the weapon, 
fell prone, and his armour, diversified with brass, rattled about 
him. And Sarpedon then seizing the battlement with his 
strong hands, pulled, and it all gave way together ; and the wall 
above was laid bare, and it made a way for many 2 . Then Ajax 400 
and Teucer together charging, the one smote him with an arrow 



i. e. head foremost. ' Glaucus departing. 

But they were prevented from passing through by Ajax. 



208 ILIAD XL— V. 402—438. 

upon the splendid belt 3 of his huge shield, around his breast ; but 
Jupiter averted the fate of his son, that he might not be slain 
at the stern of the ships. And Ajax, springing upon him, 

405 struck his shield ; and the spear pierced quite through, and 
forcibly repelled him, while rushing on. And then he fell back a 
little from the battlement, but did not altogether retreat, be- 
cause his spirit hoped yet to bear away glory. And, turning 
round upon the godlike Lycians, he exhorted them : 

"O Lycians, why thus do ye abate your vigorous exertions? 

410 It is difficult for me, strong as I am, alone, breaking down the 
wall, to make a way to the ships. But follow along with me ; 
the eifect 4 of numbers is better 5 ." 

Thus he spake ; and they, dreading their sovereign's rebuke, 
pressed on with more alacrity round their counselling king. 

415 And the Argives, on the other side, strengthened their columns 
within the wall, and their work seemed great. For neither 
could the gallant Lycians, bursting through the wall of the Da- 
naans, make their way to the ships, nor were the warlike Da- 

420 naans ever able to drive back the Lycians from the wall, since 
first they approached it. And as two men dispute in a common 6 
field respecting their boundaries, — holding measures in their 
hands — and contend in a small space about their just share 7 ; so 
did the battlements separate these warriors, and, for them, each 

425 struck the circular ox-hide shields and light bucklers on their 
breasts. And many were wounded upon the body with ruthless 
brass — both he of the combatants whose back, being turned, was 
exposed, and many quite through the shield itself. Every 

430 where were towers and battlements sprinkled on both sides 
with the blood of heroes, from Trojans and Achseans. Yet not 
thus could they put the Achaeans to rout 8 ; but they held them- 
selves, as an industrious 9 and just woman holds scales, who, 
balancing 1 both the weight and the wool, weighs them, making 

435 them equal on both sides, that she may procure a miserable sup- 
port 2 for her children. Thus equally was their battle and war 
suspended, before' the time when Jove gave superior glory to 
Hector, son of Priam, who first leaped within the wall of the 

3 The TsXaf*wv here seems to be the belt, by which the shield was suspended 
and which went across the breast — in the same manner as the sword-belt, only in 
a contrary direction. 4 Work. 

s The more we are the better our chance of success. 

6 A portion of which — that upon which they stand — is claimed by both. 

7 U?v\S scil. fMipCCS. 

8 Cause a flight of the Greeks. 9 One who works for her livelihood, 
i Holding. 2 Reward. 



ILIAD XIL— V. 439-470. 209 

Achseans, and shouted with a loud voice, exclaiming to the Tro- 
jans : 

" Push on, ye horse-taming Trojans ; burst through the wall 440 
of the Argives, and hurl the blazing fire among the ships !" 

Thus he spake, cheering them on ; and they all heard him 
with their ears, and advanced in great numbers right towards 
the wall; and then mounted the battlements, holding their 
sharp-pointed spears. And Hector, seizing a stone, bore it along 445 
— one which stood before the gates, thick at the bottom, but 
above it was sharp ; and it not two, the best men of the people, 
such as men now are, could easily raise with levers from the 
ground upon a wagon ; but he. though alone, with ease bran- 450 
dished it, for the son of the wily Saturn had rendered it light 
to him. And as when a shepherd carries without difficulty the 
fleece of a ram, taking it in one hand, and but a small weight 
presses him : so Hector, raising the stone, bore it right against 
the panels 3 which strengthened the gates, very closely com- 
pacted, with double leaves, and lofty, and two cross bars held 455 
them within, and to them one bolt was fitted 4 . Advancing, he 
stood very near, and, with his legs well apart, applying all his 
force, that the weapon might not be without effect, struck them 
in the middle. And he tore away both hinges, and the stone 
fell within through its weight : and the gates crashed around ; 460 
nor did the bolts withstand it, and the panels were split asunder 
in different directions by the force of the stone. And then 
illustrious Hector rushed in. resembling swift night in his aspect ; 
and he glittered in terrible brass, which he had on around his 
body. And he held two spears in his hands, nor could any one, 465 
opposing, restrain him, except the gods, after he had leaped 
within the gates; for his eyes flashed with fire. And, turning, 
he animated the Trojans throughout the crowd to climb over 
the wall, and they obeyed him exhorting tliem. And immedi- 
ately some crossed the wall, and others poured in by the well- 
made 5 gates ; and the Danaans fled in terror to the hollow ships, 470 
and a mighty tumult ensued. 

3 As if they were both secured by one bolt — of course things of which no type 
exists, must be more or less obscure. 

4 The panels clamped with the frame constituted the strength of the gates — but 
we know as little of the carpentry as of the fitting of the bars and bolts. 

5 Made — as the effect of labour and art — strength is probably the idea meant to 
be conveyed. 

15 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK XIII. 



ARGUMENT. 

Neptune engages on the part of the Grecians. The battle proceeds. Dei'phobus 
advances to combat, but is repulsed by Meriones, who, losing his spear, repairs 
to his tent for another. Teucer slays Imbrius, and Hector Amphimacus. Nep- 
tune, under the similitude of Thoas, exhorts Idomeneus. Idomeneus, having 
armed himself in his tent, and going forth to battle meets Meriones. After 
discourse held with each other, Idomeneus accommodates Meriones with a spear, 
and they proceed to battle. Idomeneus slays Othryoneus and Asius. Dei'- 
phobus assails Idomeneus, but, his spear glancing over him, kills Hypsenor. 
Idomeneus slays Alcathous, son-in-law of Anchises. Deiphobus and Idomeneus 
respectively summon their friends to their assistance, and a contest ensues for 
the body of Alcathous. 

But Jupiter, when he had brought 1 the Trojans and Hector 
to the ships, left them to sustain beside them labour and toil 
incessantly : and himself turned 2 from them his shining eyes, 
looking away towards the land of the equestrian Thracians and 
5 the close- fighting Mysians, and the noble Hippemolgi, who live 
upon milk 3 , and are inoffensive 4 and most just. And he no longer 
now turned his glittering eyes upon Troy ; for he did not expect 5 
in his mind that any, one of the immortals would go to aid either 
the Trojans or the Danaans. 
10 But king Neptune was not unobservant 6 ; for he sat aloft 
upon the highest summit of the woody Thracian Samos, admir- 

J i. e. enabled them to break through the rampart, which protected the ships. 
2 ffaXiv <rgs* — from W. to N. 3 Eaters of milk— mare's milk. 

4 a/3iwv — (. e. if from /3ia ; but if from fiiog — poor, or, possibly long lived. 

5 Or, had no apprehensions. 

6 But king Neptune did not keep a blind lookout. 



ILIAD XIIL— V. 13—49. 211 

ing 7 the war and the battle. For from thence all Ida was visi- 
ble, and the city of Priam was visible, and the ships of the 
Achaeans. There then was he sitting, having come from the 15 
sea, and he pitied the Achaeans, subdued by the Trojans; and 
strongly blamed Jove. And presently he descended from the 
rugged mountain, rapidly advancing on foot ; and the high hills 
and woods trembled beneath the immortal feet of Neptune, as 20 
he walked. Thrice he strode, advancing, and with the fourth 
stride he reached his point, iEgae ; for there in the depths of the 
sea, noble mansions, golden, splendid, ever incorruptible, had 
been built for him. Coming thither, he harnessed 8 to the car 
his brazen-footed horses, swiftly flying, with golden manes 9 . 
And he clad his body in gold 1 ; and he took his golden lash, 25 
beautifully fabricated, and mounted his car. And he drove 2 
oyer the billows • and whales sported beneath him in all direc- 
tions from their recesses, and they recognised their king 3 . And 
the sea made way 4 with joy ; and they flew very rapidly ; nor 
was the brazen axle wetted beneath. And his good-springing 30 
horses bore him to the ships of the Achaeans. 

And there is an ample cave in the abysses of the deep sea, 
between Tenedos and rugged Imbrus. There Neptune, shaker 
of the earth, stopped his horses, loosing them from the car, and 35 
cast beside them ambrosial food to eat. And round their feet 
he threw golden fetters, invincible, insoluble, that they might 
there steadily await their king's return ; and he departed towards 
the army of the Achaeans. 

And now the Trojans, in crowds, like to a flame or a storm, 
insatiably eager, followed Hector, son of Priam, with noise and 40 
tumult, for they hoped to capture the ships of the Achseans, 
and slay all the Achaeans on the spot. But the earth-encircling 
earth-shaking Neptune, coming from the deep sea, roused the 
Argives, in the person 5 , and with the indomitable voice of 45 
Calchas. The Ajaxes first he addressed, though prompt them- 
selves : 

" Ajaxes, ye .will preserve the people of the Achaeans, mindful 
of valour, not of direful flight 6 . For in other places I dread not 

7 i. e. contemplating with admiration. 

8 TiTutfxs-To — strictly the word only applies to the reins. 

9 Being haired, or maned with golden manes. 

1 He put on gold around his person — i. e. he put on his golden mail. 

2 He went to drive. 3 Nor did they not recognise their king. 

4 Stood apart. 

5 Making himself in person and voice like Calchas. 

6 i. e, by exerting your valour, and not thinking of flight. 



212 ILIAD XIII.— V. 50-92. 

50 the strong 7 hands of the Trojans, who in crowds are crossing the 
vast rampart, for the well-armed Achaeans will keep them in 
check. But here, however, I am grievously afraid lest we suffer 
something, where, like a flame, leads on that maddened Hector, 

55 who boasts to be a child of almighty Jove. But may some of 
the gods thus put it in your minds 8 to stand firmly yourselves, 
and to exhort others — by that means ye may drive him impetu- 
ous as he is, from the ships, though the Olympian himself urge 
him on." 

The earth-circling Neptune said, and touching both with his 

60 sceptre, filled them with resolute courage, and made their limbs 
light — their feet below 9 , and hands above. And himself, as a 
swift- winged hawk springs to fly — one which, rising from a rug- 
ged lofty rock, rushes forward to pursue another bird over the 

65 plains, so from them darted the earth-shaking Neptune. And 
of the two, fleet Ajax, son of Oileus, recognized *him first, and 
immediately then addressed Ajax, the son of Telamon : 

" Courage ! Ajax, for one of the Gods who occupy Olympus, 
in the form of the prophet, exhorts us to fight beside the ships. 

TO That is not Calchas, the prophetic augur, for I readily knew him 
from behind by his feet and legs 1 , as he went away ; and indeed 
Gods are easily known. And in myself the spirit in my bosom 

T5 is more excited to war and to fight, and my feet beneath and 
hands above ardently desire it." 

And to him the Telamonian Ajax, answering, said : " So also 
now do my strong hands desire to grasp the spear, and my 
courage rises, and by both my feet under me, am I urged along 

80 — and I eagerly desire, even alone, to combat with Hector, son 
of Priam, insatiably ardent to fight." 

Thus they such words spoke to each other, eager with the 
desire of battle, which the God had infused into their minds. 
And, mean while, the earth-shaker roused the Achaeans in the 
rear, who were recruiting their vigour 2 at the swift ships ; for 

$5 their limbs were at once enfeebled with toilsome labour, and 
grief was in their minds, beholding the Trojans, who, in great 
numbers, had surmounted the vast rampart. Beholding them, 
they shed tears beneath their brows, for they said they should 

90 not escape destruction : but the shaker of the earth going amongst 
them, easily roused the brave phalanxes. To Teucer and Leitus 
he came first, exhorting them, and to the hero Peneleus, and 

7 Untouched, or that cannot be touched — i. e. not easily repelled. 

8 So make it in the minds to you. 

9 Understand Sv$fi$. Comp. 75 of this book. 

1 Traces of legs and feet — i. e. his step and gait. i Their heart. 



tti 



ILIAD XIIL- V. 93—134. 213 

Thoas, and Deipyrus, and to Meriones and Antilochus, skilful in 
war. These, encouraging, he addressed in winged words : 

" O shame ! Argives, young men ; I trusted to you, by fight- 95 
mg, to preserve our ships , but if ye relax in the destructive 
battle, now is the day come to be subdued by the Trojans. Ye 
gods, a marvel great is this I behold with my eyes — shocking, 100 
what I never expected would come to pass — the Trojans ap- 
proaching our ships — they who formerly resembled flying stags, 
which in the forest, roaming there, feeble and not Jit for combat, 
are the prey of lynxes, pards, and wolves. So the Trojans for- 
merly would not stand against' the courage and strength of the 105 
Achseans — not the least. And now, far from their city, at the 
hollow ships they combat, through the cowardice 3 of our com- 
mander, and the indifference 4 of the troops 5 , who, quarrelling 
with him, will not defend the swift ships, but are slain among 110 
them. But although in reality the hero, the son of Atreus, the 
wide-ruling Agamemnon, be altogether in fault, because he in- 
sulted the swift-footed son of Peleus, still it is not for us to 
abandon the battle. But let us rather repair the evil; the hearts 115 
of the brave are the repairers. Not with honour relax ye from 
your brave exertions, the bravest as ye are in the army ; nor 
would I quarrel with a worthless man who skulked from combat ; 
but with you I am indignant at heart. O my friends, soon will 120 
ye create some greater evil by this indifference : do then each 
of you in your own hearts think of your own shame, and the 
censure of mankind* ; for now begins the mighty struggle. 
Already the gallant Hector, victoriously, wars at the ships, and 
has broken the gates and long bar." 

Thus then did the earth-shaker, exhorting, rouse the Achae- 125 
ans. And round the two Ajaxes stood firm phalanxes, which not 
even Mars, coming amongst them, could have found fault with 7 , 
nor Minerva, the stirrer-up of the people; for the bravest, 
selected, awaited the Trojans and the noble Hector, joining 130 
spear to spear, shield to shield, in closest order 8 . Then shield 
supported shield, helmet helmet, and man man; and their 
helmets, crested with horsehair, touched each other with their 
splendid cones as they nodded 9 , so close they stood to one another; 

3 Or iniquity. 4 Or secession. 

5 i. e. of Achilles — or rather, the troops generally — as if they had become indif- 
ferent to the contest from their disapprobation of Agamemnon's conduct towards 
Achilles. 

6 i. e. the shame and blame that will follow your own negligence. 

7 », e. would have beheld with admiration. 8 From the roots. 
9 Of them nodding. 



214 ILIAD XIII.— Y. 134—175. 

and quivering spears were brandished from their daring hands ; 

135 and their minds were alert 1 , and they burned to fight. But the 
collected Trojans first made the attack, and Hector led impetu- 
ous against them. As from a rock a stone, destructive in its 
course, which a wintry torrent hurls from the mountain top, 

140 bursting with a mighty flood the barriers of a rugged rock, flies 
bounding along, and the forest resounds beneath it : and irresis- 
tibly it runs unchecked till it reach the plain, and then rolls no 
longer, impetuous as it was — so Hector for a time threatens to 
come with ease as far as the sea, to the tents and ships of the 

145 Achasans, slaughtering. But when now he met with the firm 
phalanxes, he stopt, being come in close contact ; and the op- 
posing sons of the Achasans, striking with their swords an d 
double-pointed spears, drove him from them ; and, retreating, he 
was repulsed, and he cried, shouting aloud to the Trojans : 

150 "Ye Trojans, and Lycians, and Dardan warriors, stand firm. 
Not long will the Achasans withstand me, although they have 
drawn 2 themselves up like a rampart. But I think they will 
retreat from my spear, if in truth the best of the Gods, high- 
thundering husband of Juno, urges me on." 

155 So saying, he roused the valour and courage of each. And 
Dei'phobus, son of Priam, went amongst them, proudly, and held 
his shield equal on all sides, before him, proceeding with light 
step, and advancing covered with his shield 3 ; and Meriones 
took aim with his shining spear, and struck — nor missed — the 

160 bulPs-hide shield every where equal ; but it pierced not through, 
for the long spear far before was broken at the extremity. And 
Dei'phobus held away from him his bulPs-hide shield, and dreaded 
in his heart the spear of the warlike Meriones ; and that hero 

165 fell back into the column of his comrades, and was grievously- 
enraged on both accounts, as well for the loss of the victory, as 
for the spear which he had broken. And he set out to go along 
the tents and ships of the Achasans to fetch a long spear which 
had been left by him in his tent ; and the rest continued fighting 
and a mighty tumult arose. 

170 And Telamonian TeuCer first slew an hero, warlike Imbrius, 
son of Mentor, rich in steeds ; for he dwelt at Pedaeum before 
the sons of the Achasans arrived, and had married Medesicaste, 
a spurious daughter of Priam. But when the ships of the Da- 

175 naans, with oars on both sides, arrived, he came back to Ilium, 

1 They thought straight — or their minds were right onward — i. e. they were 
eager to advance. 2 Having drawn. 

3 Going on lightly with his feet, and under his shield putting one foot before 
the other. 



MUU 



ILIAD XIIL— V. 176—218. 215 

and was conspicuous among the Trojans ; and dwelt with Priam, 
who honoured him equally with his own sons. Him then the 
son of Telamon smote under the ear with his long spear, and 
wrenched it out again ; and he, on the other hand, fell like an 
ash, which, on the summit of a mountain conspicuous from afar, 180 
cut down with an axe 4 , brings its young foliage to the earth. 
So he fell, and his armour diversified with brass, rang about him. 
And Teucer ran in, eager to strip him of his armour ; and Hec- 
tor hurled his shining spear at him thus running. But he how- 
ever seeing the brazen spear coming in front, swerved a little: 185 
and Hector wounded on the breast with his spear, Amphimachus, 
son of Cteas who was son of Actor, advancing to the battle ; and, 
falling, he made a crash, and his arms rang upon him. And 
Hector rushed to tear from the head of the brave Amphimachus 
the helmet fitted to his brows ; and Ajax hurled with his shining 
spear at Hector, while rushing in. But it never reached his 190 
person, for indeed he was all covered with terrible brass ; though 
he smote the boss of his shield, and drove him himself back with 
great violence ; and he fell back from both bodies, and the Ach- 
aeans dragged them off — Stichius and noble Menestheus, leaders 195 
of the Athunians, took Amphimachus to the army of the Achas- 
ans ; and the two Ajaxes, eager for impetuous combat, Imbrius. 
As two lions bear a goat through the thick underwood, snatching 
it from dogs with jagged teeth 5 , holding it high above the earth 
in their jaws ; so the two warriors, the Ajaxes, holding him 200 
(Imbrius) aloft, stripped off his armour ; and the son of Oileus, 
enraged on account of Amphimachus, cut off his head from his 
soft neck, and rolling it, sent like a ball through the crowd, and 
it fell in th# dust before the feet of Hector. 205 

Then indeed was Neptune grieved at the heart for his grand- 
son, fallen in dreadful combat ; and hastened 5 past the tents and 
ships of the Achaeans, exhorting the Danaans, and preparing 
disasters for the Trojans. And the spear-famed Idomeneus met 
him, returning from a comrade, who had lately come to him 210 
from the battle, wounded in the ham with a sharp spear, whom 
his comrades had carried in — he, having given directions to the 
surgeons, was returning from his tent, for he still desired to 
participate in the combat. And him king Neptune addressed, 215 
assimilating his voice to that of Thoas 7 , the son of Andrremon, 
who governed the iEtolians throughout all Pleuron and the lofty 
Calydon, and who was honored by the people as a god : 

4 With brass. 

5 i. e. from the dogs which had the care of the flocks. 6 [3r) iSvoll 
7 Assimilating himself, as to voice, to Thoas. 



216 ILIAD XIIL—V. 219—257. 

" Idomeneus, commander of the Cretans, where are gone the 

220 threats with which the sons of the Achseans threatened the 
Trojans ?" 

And to him, in reply, Idomeneus, the leader of the Cretans, 
said ; " No man, O Thoas, as far as I know, is now at least in 
fault ; for we all know how to fight 8 . Neither does dispiriting 
fear detain any one, nor does any one, yielding to sloth, avoid the 

225 dire battle ; but thus, it seems, some how or other, to he agreea- 
ble to the all-powerful son of Saturn, that the Achaean s should 
perish inglorious here, far from Argos. But, Thoas — for of old 
thou also wert warlike, and didst rouse up another when thou 

230 sawest him negligent — therefore neither now desist thyself, but 
exhort each man. 

And him answered then Neptune, the shaker of the earth : 
" Never may that man, O Idomeneus, more return from Troy, 
but let him here be the sport of the dogs, whosoever of his own 
will shall this day desist from fighting. Come then, fetch thy 

235 weapons and come hither ; for it behooves us to be active to- 
gether 9 , that, though but two, we may be of some service. The 
combined force of men, even of the worthless, is something — and 
we both know how to fight even with the brave 1 ." 

So saying, the God departed again to the battle 2 of heroes. 

240 And Idomeneus, when now he had arrived at his well-con- 
structed tent, put on his rich armour round his body, and seized 
two spears ; and hastened to go like to a thunder-bolt, which 
the son of Saturn, seizing in his hand, hurls from the glittering 

245 Olympus, showing a sign to mortals, for its rays are brilliant ; 
so shone the brass around his breast as he ran 3 . And then 
Meriones, his brave comrade, met him while yet near the tent ; 
for he was going to fetch a brazen spear ; and the hiighty Ido- 
meneus 4 addressed him : 

250 " Meriones, son of Molus, swift of foot, dearest of my com- 
rades, why comest thou thus, quitting the war and the battle ? 
Art thou at all wounded, and does the point of a spear afflict 
thee ? Or comest thou after me with some message 5 ? For I 
myself am not desirous to sit within my tent, but to fight." 

255 And to him, in reply, the prudent Meriones said : u Idome- 
neus, commander of the brazen-mailed Cretans, I come, if any 
spear be left thee in thy tents, to fetch it ; for we have just 



8 scil. and of course ready to fight. 

9 To hasten these things. ' i. e. -we are capable of fighting, &c. 
2 ajxtfovov for ava <jtovov — to the toil. 3 Of him running. 
4 The might of Idomeneus addressed. 5 Supply £vsxoc. 



ILIAD XIII.— V. 258—296. 217 

broken what I had before, striking 6 the shield of bold Dei'pho- 
bus." 

And to him, in reply, Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, said : 
" Spears certainly, if thou wish them, one-and-twenty thou wilt 260 
find, standing in the tent against the shining walls — Trojan 
ones, which I have taken from the slain ; for I never think of 
fighting 7 , standing afar off, with foe-men. Therefore I have 
spears and bossy shields, and helmets, and corselets, brightly 265 
shining." 

And to him, in reply, the prudent Meriones said : " In my 
tent too 8 and black ship are many spoils of the Trojans ; but 
they are not at hand to take them. For neither do I think 
that I am forgetful of valour 9 , but stand among the foremost in 
glorious 1 battle, whenever the strife of war arises. By others 270 
of the brazen-mailed Achaeans I may not have been observed 
fighting ; but I think thou must thyself have seen me 2 ." 

And to him, in reply, Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, said : 
" I know what thou art as to valour ; why needst thou name 275 
these things ? For if now at the ships all the bravest of us 
were selected for an ambuscade, where the courage of men is 
especially perceived, where the coward, and he who is brave is 
made apparent-t-for the colour of the coward varies 3 from this 280 
to that, nor is his heart within his bosom repressed, so as to sit 
quietly, but he cowers, and sits upon both his feet, and his heart 
greatly beats within his breast, expecting death, and there is a 
chattering of his teeth, — but the colour of the brave man neither 
changes, nor is he at all disturbed, after he first sits down in the 285 
ambuscade of heroes, for he prays to mingle, as soon as possible, 
in direful fight — no one, in that case, would disparage thy cour- 
age and might. For if, labouring in tlw battle, thou wert 
wounded from a distance, or smitten in close fight, the weapon 
would not fall upon thy neck behind, nor upon thy back; but 290 
either pierce thy breast, or thy belly, as thou wert rushing for- 
ward 4 in the conflict of foremost combatants. Come then, let 
us no longer talk of these matters, like fools standing 5 , lest per- 
haps some one unjustly chide us : but, go to the tent, and choose 
thee a strong spear." 

Thus he spake, and Meriones, equal to swift Mars, speedily 295 
took from the tent a brazen spear ; and went, very eager for 

6 Having struck. 1 For I do not think to war. 

8 To me at my tent. 9 i. e. am without it. 

1 Giving glory to men. * Meriones was his second in command. 
3 Is turned, or turns. 4 Of thee, rushing forward. 

5 Standing — i. e. doing nothing. 



218 ILIAD XIIL— V. 298—335. 

war, after Idomeneus. And as man-destroying Mars enters the 
battle, and with him follows Terror, his dear son, at the same time 

300 powerful and fearless, who strikes fear even into the resolute 
warrior — they 6 then, from Thrace, arm against the Ephyri or 
the brave Phlegyans ; nor listen to both, but give glory to one 
or the other 7 . Such advanced to battle Meriones and Idome- 

305 neus, leaders of heroes, armed in glittering brass : and Meriones 
first addressed him in these words : 

" Son of Deucalion, where dost thou purpose to enter the 
throng ? To the right of all the army, or at the centre — or 
upon the left ? Since no where in the battle do I think that the 

310 long-haired Achseans so much require support 8 . 7 ' 

And to him again in return Idomeneus, the leader of the 
Cretans, said : " At the ships in the centre there are both others 
to assist them, and the two Ajaxes 9 and Teucer, who is the best 
of the Achasans in archery, and is also brave in standing fight ; 

315 they will harass, to satiety 1 , Hector, son of Priam, though eager 
for battle, and be he ever so stout. Hard will it be for him, 
although burning to fight, overpowering their might and strong 
hands, to set fire to the ships, unless the son of Saturn himself 

320 cast a flaming torch upon the swift ships. Not indeed will the 
mighty Telamonian Ajax yield to any man, who is a mortal, and 
eats the fruit of Ceres, and is penetrable to brass and huge 
stones. Nor would he give way to warlike 2 Achilles, at lease in 

o'ao standing fight, though he is by no means able to contend with 
him with his feet. On with us, therefore, to the left of the, 
army, that we may quickly know whether we shall give glory 
to any one, or any one to us." 

Thus he spake. And Meriones, equal to rapid Mars, began 
to proceed until they came to that part of the army where he 

330 bade him. But they, when they beheld Idomeneus, in his might 
resembling a flame, both himself and his comrade in curiously- 
wrought armour, exhorting each other along the crowd, — all 
advanced against him, and their battle was hand to hand at the 
sterns of the ships 3 . And as, when storms sweep along, driven 

335 by roaring winds, on a day when the dust upon the roads is very 

6 Mars and Terror. 

7 i. e. Both appealed to Mars, but He and Terror help only one. So the aid of 
Idomeneus and Meriones were alike required right and left, but they decide to go 
to the left. 

8 In want of — defective in war — i. e. inferior in force, as in the left. 

9 The Ajaxes had quitted the left to go to the assistance of Mnestheus. M. 373 
i a^Tjv. 2 Who by his valour breaks the ranks of the enemy, 

8 And the contest of them stood equal at the sterns of the ships. 



ILIAD XIIL— V. 336—371. 219 

abundant, and they (the winds) at the same time raise 4 a large 
cloud of dust ; so came on the battle of these together, and 5 they 
were eager in their minds to slaughter one another throughout 
the throng with sharp brass. And horrible grows the combat, 
deadly to mortals, with the long spears which they held sharp- 
ened 6 ; and the brazen splendour dazzled their eyes from the 340 
glittering helmets, the newly-burnished corselets, and shining 
shields, coming together. Truly very 'brave-hearted would he 
have been, who beholding their toil, could then have rejoiced, 
and not been disturbed. 

The two mighty sons of Saturn, favouring diiFerent sides, 345 
prepared sad griefs for heroes 7 . On the other hand Jupiter 
willed victory to the Trojans and to Hector, glorifying the 
swift-footed Achilles ; and did not desire to destroy entirely the 
Achaean people before Ilium, but honoured Thetis and her 
gallant-hearted son. On the other hand, Neptune, emerging 350 
from the hoary deep, coming secretly amongst them, encouraged 
the Argives ; for he grieved that they should be subdued by the 
Trojans ; and was vehemently angry with Jupiter. Certainly 
to both the birth was the same, and their family one, but Jove 
was born first, and possessed more knowledge 8 . For this reason 355 
also Neptune avoided assisting them openly, but always pri- 
vately encouraged them in the army, in the shape of a man. 
These therefore, alternating, stretched out' over both the rope 
of hard contest and destructive war, infrangible, and insoluble, 360 
which relaxed the limbs 9 of many. 

Then, though advanced in years 1 , Idomeneus, exhorting the 
Danaans, excited terror 2 among the Trojans, springing upon 
them ; for he slew Othryoneus, who had come from Cabesus to 
Priam's 3 . He had iately arrived, on the report of the war 4 , 
and demanded Cassandra, the most beautiful in form of the 365 
daughters of Priam, without giving a dowry, but he had pro- 
mised a mighty deed, to drive in spite of them the sons of the 
Achaeans from Troy. And to him the aged Priam had promised 
her, and engaged 5 to give her ; and he fought, trusting to his 370 
promises. But Idomeneus took aim at him with his shining 

4 Make to stand. 5 f, e . both parties. 

6 Fit for cutting bodies, t Men -who are heroes — heroic men. 

8 And knew more things — i. e. had more experience — universally, in Homer, 
age measures knowledge. 9 Knees. 

i Half grey. 2 ,•. e . had routed them. 

3 Being within from Cabesus — i. e. being a guest of Priam. 

4 Unless the phrase means — in pursuit of martial glory. 

5 xarsvsvas— bowed with the head. 



220 ILIAD XIII— V. 372—409. 

spear, and hurling it, smote him, stalking proudly along ; nor did 
the brazen corselet which he wore resist 6 it, but he fixed it in 
the middle of his belly ; and falling, he made a crash ; and the 
other gloried over him, and said : 

" Othryoneus ! above all mortals will I extol thee, if thou 

375 wilt now in truth accomplish all which thou didst undertake for 
Priam, descendant of Dardanus, when he 7 promised thee his 
daughter. We likewise will promise the same things, and ac- 
complish them for thee. And we will give thee the fairest of 
the daughters of the son of Atreus to wed, fetching her from 

380 Argos, if along with us thou wilt destroy the well-inhabited city 
of Ilium. Follow then, that we may settle with thee about the 
marriage at the sea-crossing ships ; for we are by no means bad 
fathers-in-law 8 ." 

So saying, the hero Idomeneus dragged him by the foot 
through the fierce battle. But Asius came as an avenger to him 

385 on foot, before his (own) horses — and them his attendant driver 
always kept breathing upon his shoulders — for he burned in his 
soul to strike Idomeneus ; but anticipating him, Idomeneus smote 
him with his spear in the throat, below the chin, and drove the 

390 weapon quite through. And he fell, as when some oak falls, or 
white poplar, or lofty pine, which builders 9 have cut down upon 
the mountains with newly-sharpened axes, to become ship-tim- 
ber. So he lay, stretched before his horses and chariot, gnashing 
his teeth, and grasping the bloody dust. And his driver was 
deprived 1 of the senses, which he before had, nor did he dare — 

395 escaping from the hands of the enemy — to turn back his horses ; 
and him stout Antilochus, hitting, transfixed in the middle with 
his spear ; nor did the brazen corselet which he wore resist it, 
but he fixed it in the middle of his belly. Then, panting, Asius 

400 fell from the well-made car, and Antilochus, the son of the brave 
Nestor, drove away the horses from the Trojans to the well- 
armed Acheeans. 

And Dei'phobus, enraged on account of Asius, approached 
very near to Idomeneus, and darted with his shining spear. But 
Idomeneus beholding it coming against him, avoided the brazen 

405 spear, for he concealed 3 himself behind his shield equal on all 
sides, which he carried, formed of the hides of oxen and of 
glittering brass, furnished with two handles 4 . Behind this he 
collected himself entirely 5 , and the brazen spear flew over him. 

6 Was not sufficient to repel it. 

7 And he. 8 »• e. not illiberal ones. 9 Artificers of men. 
1 Was stricken as to, &c. 3 Was concealed. 4 Osiers. 
5 i. e. he cowered under his shield. 



ILIAD XIII.— V. 410—447. 221 

And his shield returned a dry sound 6 , as the spear sprang close 410 
over it. Yet Deiphobus sent it not in vain from his heavy- 
hand, but struck Hypsenor, the son of Hippasus, shepherd of 
people, upon the liver, below the midriff, and immediately loos- 
ened his knees under him. And Deiphobus gloried prodigiously 
over him, loudly exclaiming : 

" Surely not unavenged lies Asius ; and I think that he, in 
going to the strong-gated, massy mansion of Hades, will rejoice 415 
in his mind, since I have given to him a companion." 

Thus he spake ; and a pang came upon the Argives at his 
boast 7 ; and particularly did he shake the soul of the warlike 
Antilochus. Yet, grieved as he was, he neglected not his com- 
rade, but running, protected him, and covered him over with 420 
his shield. Him then his two dear comrades, Mecisteus, son of 
Echius, and noble Alastor, supporting, bore to the hollow ships, 
themselves groaning deeply. But Idomeneus remitted not his 
mighty valour ; and always burned either to cover some of the 425 
Trojans with pitchy night 8 , or to fall himself with a crash, in 
repelling destruction from the Achasans. Then the hero Alca- 
thous, the beloved son of princely iEsyetas — and he was the 
son-in-law of Anchises, for he had married Hippodameia, the 
eldest of his daughters, whom her father and venerable mother 430 
loved from their hearts, whilst in their house, because she ex- 
celled all of her age in beauty, in accomplishments, and intelli- 
gence 9 , for which reason also the most distinguished man in 
wide Troy had married her — him then Neptune subdued under 
Idomeneus, blinding 1 his shining eyes, and fettered his fair 435 
limbs. For he was able neither to fly back nor to turn aside ; 
and, standing motionless, like a pillar or high-topped tree, the 
hero Idomeneus wounded him with his spear in the middle of 
the breast, and burst the brazen coat around him, which before 
warded off destruction from his body ; and it then sent forth a 440 
dry sound, severed by the spear ; and falling, he gave a crash, 
and the spear was fixed in his heart, which, palpitating, shook 
even the handle of the spear : and there at length the strong 
Mars 2 remitted his force. And Idomeneus gloried greatly over 445 
him, loudly exclaiming : 

" Well, O Deiphobus, we consider, three 3 being killed for one, 

6 As Virgil's " aridus fragor." 

1 He glorying. 8 Night of Erebus — i. e. death. 

9 Mind— i. e. prudence. l i. e. by a sort of spell. 

2 A grjj — attributing every thing in battle to Mars — the word represents, occa- 
sionally, valour, arms, battle, &c. — as here it does the spear. 

3 i, e. Othryoneus, Asius, and Alcathous, for Hypsenor, whom Deiphobus had 
killed. 



222 ILIAD XIIL— V. 44S— 484. 

at least some equivalent 4 , since thou boastest in this way. But 
stand thyself also, friend, against me, that thou mayest know 
what I am 5 , who come hither, the descendant of Jove — he who 

450 first begot Minos, the Governor of Crete ; and Minos, again, 
begot Deucalion, his illustrious son, and Deucalion begot me, 
king over many men in extensive Crete. And now my ships 
have brought me hither, an evil both to thee and to thy father, 
and the other Trojans?* 

455 Thus he spake, and DeTphobus hesitated between two mea- 
sures 6 , whether, falling back, he should associate with himself 
one of the brave Trojans, or even alone make the attempt 7 ; an$ 
to him, thus meditating, it appeared to be best to go in search 
of iEneas. And him he found standing in the rear of the army, 

460 for he was ever at enmity with noble Priam, because indeed 
Priam by no means honoured him, though valiant among heroes. 
And, standing near, he addressed him in these winged words : 

" iEneas, commander ef Trojans, now does it greatly behoove 
thee to protect thy brother-in-law, if indeed any regard 8 for 

465 him touches thee. Follow then that we may bring aid to Alca- 
thous 9 , who being thy brother-in-law, nourished thee whilst 
very young in his mansions, and whom spear-skilled Idomeneus 
hath slain." 

Thus he spake and roused the courage in his breast ; and he 
went in pursuit of Idomeneus greatly desirous of battle. Yet 

470 fear seized not Idomeneus, like a young child, but he stood firm, 
as when some boar in the mountains, confident in his strength, 
which abides the mighty tumult of men coming against him, in 
a desert place, and upwards bristles his back ; and his eyes flash 

475 with fire, and he sharpens his teeth, eager to repulse both dogs 
and men. So spear-famed Idomeneus awaited iEneas, rapid in 
combat, coming against him, nor retired : but shouted to his 
comrades, looking out to Ascalaphus, and Aphareus, and Dei'py- 
rus, and Meriones, and Antilochus, skilful in fight. Exhorting 

480 these, he addressed them in winged words : 

" Hither, my friends, and succour me here all alone, for I 
greatly fear swift-footed iEneas, charging, who is approaching 
me — w ho is very powerful to slay men in battle, and possesses 
the bloom of youth, which is the greatest advantage. For if 



4 i. e. as good a ground of boasting as any deed of thine. 

5 What a man I come. 6 Deliberated two ways. 

7 i. e. against Idomeneus. 

8 xridog — i. e. affinity— or regard on account of affinity. 

9 i. e. to bring off the body. 



MIL 



ILIAD XIII.— V. 485—524. 223 

we were of the same age, with this spirit, either he would 485 
quickly bear off great glory, or I myself should bear it off." 

Thus he spake : and then all, having one determination in 
their minds, stood near him, placing 1 their shields upon their 
shoulders. And jEneas, on the other side, animated his com- 
panions, casting his eyes upon DeTphobus, and Paris, and the 490 
noble Agenor, who, together with himself, were leaders of the 
Trojans. And then followed the people, as sheep follow from 
their pasture after the ram to drink : and the shepherd then 
rejoices in mind. So was the soul of iEneas gladdened in his 495 
breast, when he beheld a body of troops following himself. 
These therefore engage hand to hand round Alcathous with long 
spears, and on their breasts rang horribly the brass, each 
aiming at the other in the crowd. But two warlike men, supe- 
rior to the rest, JEneas and Idomeneus, each equal to Mars, 500 
burned to wound each other's bodies with the ruthless brass. 
And iEneas first hurled his javelin at Idomeneus ; but he perceiv- 
ing it coming towards him, avoided the brazen spear j and the 
spear of JEneas fell 2 quivering to the earth, for it sprang in vain 
from his strong hand. And next Idomeneus smote (Enomaus in 505 
the middle of the belly, and the spear burst the cavity of his 
corselet, and, piercing, let out 3 his entrails ; and, falling amid 
the dust, he grasp the earth with his hand 4 . And Idomeneus 
plucked out the long spear from his body, but was unable to tear 510 
off the other rich armour from his shoulders, for he was pressed 
with weapons. For no longer were the joints of his feet firm as 
he rushed, either to spring after his own weapon, or avoid that 
of another 5 . Wherefore also in standing fight he warded off the 
fatal day, nor did his feet longer bear him with ease in retreat- 515 
ing 6 from the battle. Against him, thus slowly retiring, Dei- 
phobus hurled his glittering lance, for he had ever a rooted 
hatred towards him 7 . But then too he missed him, and struck 
with his javelin Ascalaphus, the son of Mars, and drove the 
strong spear through his shoulder ; and falling amid the dust, 520 
Ascalaphus grasped the earth with his hand. 

Not yet, however, had loudly-roaring, fierce Mars heard that 
his son had fallen in the fierce fight ; but he sat at the time 
beneath golden clouds upon the summit of Olympus, excluded 
from the battle by the counsels of Jove, where also the other 

1 *. e. making a line of shields for the protection of Idomeneus. 

2 Went. 3 And drank his bowels through — or tapped them. 4 p a lm. 

s Firm to him attacking, neither indeed to rush on after his own weapon, nor to 
avoid. c To fly. 

7 i. e. because he had missed his aim at Idomeneus before. 



224 ILIAD XIIL— V. 525—564. 

525 immortal gods were restrained from the war. In the mean time 
they (Trojans and Achmans) engage hand to hand round Ascala- 
phus. And Dei'phobus tore the shining helmet from Ascalaphus ; 
and Meriones, equal to swift Mars, springing upon him. smote 

530 him with his spear in the arm, and the crested helmet, falling 
from his hand, rang upon the earth. And Meriones, again 
springing forward upon him, like a vulture, plucked out the 
tough spear from the lower part of his arm, and retired again 
upon the column of his comrades. And Polltes his own brother 8 , 
throwing his hands round his middle, carried him out of the 

535 horrid-sounding battle, till he reached his fleet horses, which 
awaited him 9 in the rear of the combat and the war, with the 
driver and a variegated car ; which then carried him towards the 
city, groaning heavily, and exhausted ; and the blood flowed from 

540 his lately- wounded hand. But the others fought on, and a 
mighty clamour arose: and iEneas, rushing upon Aphareus, the 
son of Caletor, struck him with his sharp spear upon the throat, 
as he was turned towards him. And his head hung on one side, 
and his shield followed, and his helmet ; and destructive 1 death 

545 poured around him. And Antilochus, watching Thoas turning 
round, attacked and wounded him 2 ; and cut away all the vein, 
which, running quite along the back, reaches the neck. All 
this he cut away : and Thoas fell prone in the dust, extending 

550 both hands to his beloved comrades. And Antilochus sprang 
upon him, and stripped the armour from his shoulders, looking 
around ; and the Trojans around, on every side, struck his broad 
and ornamented 3 shield with their darts, but they were not able 
to graze with the dire brass the soft skin of Antilochus behind 
it; because the earth-shaking Neptune protected the son of 

555 Nestor all around, even among many weapons. For never was 
he without his enemies 4 ; but he turned himself about against 
them ; nor did he hold his spear without motion, but ever bran- 
dished, it was whirled around ; and he purposed in his mind 
either to hurl it at some one afar off, or to rush upon seme one 

560 close at hand 5 . And intending this amid the throng, he escaped 
not the observation of Adamas, the son of Asius, who smote 
him in the middle of his shield with his sharp spear 6 , lushing 
close to him ; but the azure-haired Neptune weakened the spear, 
grudging him the life of Antilochus. Part of it remained there, 

8 i. e. of Ascalaphus. 9 Which stood for him. 

i Which takes away the soul. 2 Attacking, wounded him. 

3 Or rather the shield that turned in all directions, with the quick movements of 
Antilochus. 4 i. e. they were on every side. 

6 axovntftfaj and d^ 5 ^ opjwi^vai. 6 Brass. 



ILIAD XIIL— V. 565—603. 225 

like a stake burned in the fire, in the shield of Antilochus, and 565 
the other half lay upon the ground ; and he retired back upon 
the column of his comrades, shunning death. But Meriones, 
following him as he retreated 7 smote him with his spear between 
the groin and the naval, where a wound 8 is particularly painful 
to miserable mortals. There he fixed the spear in him ; and 570 
he falling 9 , struggled around the spear, as an ox, whom cow- 
herds in the mountains forcibly binding with twisted cords, lead 
away against his will. So the wounded man struggled, though 
for a short time — not very long — until the hero Meriones, coming 
near, plucked the spear from his body ; and darkness covered 575 
his eyes. 

And Helenus, close at hand, struck Dei'pyrus with his huge 
Thracian sword upon the temple, and cut away the three-coned 
helmet ; which dashed off, fell upon the ground — and some one 
of the combating Achaeans lifted it up, while rolling at his feet 
— and pitchy night covered his eyes. Then grief seized the 580 
son of Atreus, the gallant Menelaus, and he advanced, threaten- 
ing the hero, prince Helenus, and brandishing his sharp spear ; 
and the other drew the horn 1 of his bow. Together then they 
rushed — the one was eager to launch his sharp spear, and the 585 
other an arrow from the string. Then the son of Priam smote 
him with an arrow at the breast, on the cavity of the corselet, 
but the deadly arrow glanced off. And as when from a brt)ad 
winnowing fan, in a large threshing floor, black-skinned beans 
or vetches rebound under the shrill blast and the violence of the 590 
winnower ; so, strongly repelled off by the corselet of the glori- 
ous Menelaus, the deadly arrow flew afar. And then brave 
Menelaus, son of Atreus, struck the hand with which he (Hele- 
nus) held his well-polished bow ; and the brazen spear drove 
to the other side, through his hand, into the bow 2 . And Hele- 595 
nus retired back upon the column of his comrades, avoiding 
death, and hanging down his hand at his side, and the ashen 
spear was dragged along with him. And then the noble Agenor 
extracted it from his hand, and bound up the hand itself with 
well-twisted wool 3 — a sling, which an attendant carried for him, 600 
the shepherd of the people. And Pisander went direct against 
the glorious Menelaus, for evil fate led him towards the goal 4 of 
death, to be subdued by thee, O Menelaus, in dire battle. When 

f i. e. backward, with his face to the enemy. 

8 a^g. See 444 of this book. o Following. 

1 See A. 375. 2 Perhaps — through the hand with the bow in it. 

3 Sheep's wool — of which the sling was made. It was, apparently, untwisted > 
and applied as a bandage. * The end. 

16 



226 ILIAD XIIL— V. 604—643. 

therefore they were near, advancing against each other, the son 

605 of Atreus missed his stroke, and the spear turned aside ; and 
Pisander smote the shield of the glorious Menelaus, hut was 
unable to drive the spear quite through ; for the broad shield 
repelled it, and the spear was broken at the extremity ; still 
he exulted in his mind, and hoped for victory. And the son of 

610 Atreus, drawing his silver-studded sword, sprang upon Pisander; 
and he {Pisander) took from beneath his shield a handsome 
battle-axe of brass, with an olive-tree handle, long and well- 
polished : and at once they rushed at each other. Then he 
{Pisander) cut away the cone of the helmet, thick with horse- 

615 hair, under the very crest: but Menelaus smote him, while 
advancing, upon the forehead, above the extremity of the nose ; 
and the bones crashed, and both his eyes fell at his feet upon 
the ground . in the dust, covered with blood : and falling, he 
writhed. And the other {Menelaus) placing his heel upon his 
breast, stripped him of his armour, and, boasting, uttered this 
speech : 

620 " Thus 5 at length will ye leave 6 the ships of the Danaans 
possessed of fleet horses, ye treaty-breaking Trojans, insatiable 
of dire battle. In other wrong and baseness were ye not want- 
ing, with which ye wronged me, ye worthless dogs ; nor dreaded 
ye at all in your minds the severe anger of high-thundering 
Jove, guardian of hospitalities 7 , who will yet destroy for you 

625 your lofty city — ye who unprovoked departed, carrying off my 
own wedded wife and many treasures, after ye had been hos- 
pitably received at her house. Now, again, ye eagerly desire 
to hurl destructive fire upon our sea-crossing ships, and to slay 

630 the Achgean heroes. But ye shall yet be restrained, impetuous 
as ye are, from war. O, father Jove, they say indeed that thou 
exceedest others, both men and gods, in wisdom, yet from thee 
do all these things proceed — how much dost thou gratify these 
insolent Trojans, whose force is ever iniquitous, nor can they be 

635 glutted with destructive war ! There is satiety of all things, of 
sleep, and of love, and of sweet singing, and of graceful dancing 
— things with which one is ever more eager to satisfy his desires, 
than with war; but the Trojans are insatiable in fight. ; ' 

640 Having thus spoken, the illustrious Menelaus, stripping the 
bloody armour from the body, gave it to his companions ; and 
himself, advancing, was again mixed with the foremost com- 
batants. Then Harpalion, the son of king Pylasmenes, — who 

5 Thus — i. e. by losing your chiefs one after another. 

6 Leave — i. e. give up your attempt on the ships. 

7 He is here alluding ta the ii.sult offered by Paris to him. 



ILIAD XIIL— V. 644—683. 227 

had accompanied his beloved father to Troy, to make war, leapt 
upon him, nor returned he back to his native land. He then, 645 
near at hand, struck the middle of Atrides' shield with his lance, 
nor was he able to drive the brass through ; but retired back 
upon the column of his comrades, avoiding death, looking round 
on all sides, lest any one should strike 8 his body with a spear. 
Meriones, however, sent a brazen arrow at him, departing, and 650 
struck him upon the right hip ; and the arrow penetrated to 
the other side, through the bladder, below the bone. Sinking 
down, therefore, in the same place, and breathing out his life in 
the arms of his beloved comrades, he lay, stretched upon the 655 
ground like a worm ; and his black blood flowed and wetted the 
earth. Of him the brave Paphlagonians took care, and, lifting 
him upon a car, bore him to sacred Ilium, grieving for him; and 
with them went his father, shedding tears : but there was no 
revenge for his dead son. 

And Paris was greatly enraged in his soul on account of the 660 
slain 9 , for he had been his guest among many Paphlagonians ; 
filled with anger on his account, he sent forth a brazen arrow. 
And there was one Euchepor, a son of the seer Polyeidos, both 
wealthy and brave, inhabiting mansions at Corinth, who, well 665 
aware of his fatal destiny, had arrived in a ship. For often had 
Polyeidos, the good old man, told him, that he would perish in 
his halls of a grievous disease, or be subdued by the Trojans at 
the ships of the Achseans : by this 1 then he avoided at once the 
severe fine 2 of the Achseans and odious disease, that he might 670 
not suffer sorrows 3 in his mind. Him he (Paris) smote below 
the jaw and ear ; and the soul quickly departed from his limbs, 
and hateful darkness seized him. 

Thus then they fought like to a glowing fire. And Hector, 
beloved of Jove, had not learned, nor at all knew, that at the 
left 4 of the ships his people were slaughtered by the Argives, 675 
and that the victory 5 would soon be the Achseans' — for so much 
did the earth-shaking Neptune excite the Argives, and himself 
besides assisted with his might; but he (Hector) pressed on in 
the direction where first he had sprung within the gates and 680 
wall, breaking the close ranks of the shielded Danaans. There 
were the ships of Ajax and Protesilaus, drawn up upon the 
shore of the hoary sea; and before 6 them the wall was built 

9 Touch. 9 Harpalion. l i. e. by going to Troy. 

2 Which would have been levied on him for refusing the service. Corinth was 
under the authority of Agamemnon. Or the pain of disease. 

4 i. e. with reference to the Achseans — towards Ihe Simois. 5 Glory. 

b Above. 



228 ILIAD XIIL— V. 684—723. 

lowest 7 , where themselves and their horses were most impetuous 

685 in combat. And there 8 the Boeotions and long-robed Iaonians, 
the Locrians, and the Phthians, and illustrious Epeians, kept 
him from the ships, fiercely rushing on ; but were unable to 
drive away from them the noble Hector, resembling a flame. 
Of the Athenians, some stood in the van, and among them 

690 Menestheus, the son of Peteus, had the command ; and with him 
followed Pheidas, and Stichius, and the Brave Bias. And Meges 
the son of Pyleus, and Amphion, and Dracius, commanded the 
Epeians; and at the head of the Phthians were Medon and 
stout Podarces — Medon was a bastard son of the noble Oileus, 

695 brother of Ajax, and dwelt at Phylace, away from his native 
country, having murdered a man, the brother of his step-mother 
Eriopis, whom Oileus had married: but the other {Podarces) 
was the son of Iphiclus, son of Phylacus — these in arms at the 
head of the brave Phthians, fought along with the Boeotions, 

700 defending the ships. And Ajax, the swift son of Oileus, never 
at all stood apart from the Telamonian Ajax, not a little ; but as 
in a fallow field two dark bullocks, possessed of equal spirit, 
drag the compacted plough, and much sweat breaks out about 

705 the roots of their horns, and the well-polished yoke alone divides 
them 9 , stepping along the furrow, and the plough cuts up the 
bottom of the soil ; so they, joined together, stood very near to 
each other. Many and brave troops indeed followed the son of 

710 Telamon as comrades, who received from him his shield, when- 
ever fatigue and sweat came upon his knees 1 . But the Locrians 
followed not the brave son of O'ileus, for their heart remained 
not firm to them in standing fight, because they had not brazen 

715 helmets, crested with horse-hair, nor had they good rounded 
shields and ashen spears ; but they accompanied him to Ilium, 
trusting to their bows and their slings 2 : with which they, fre- 
quently throwing at them, broke the phalanxes of the Trojans. 
Then indeed did these {the Ajaxes) in the van, in their curiously 

720 wrought armour, fight against the Trojans and brazen-mailed 
Hector, and their troops, shooting in the rear, were unseen : nor 
were the Trojans any longer mindful of combat 3 , for the arrows 
threw them into confusion. Then would the Trojans have re- 

7 i. e. where Ajax was posted — there the rampart was built lowest. 

9 i. e. where Hector broke in and rushed upon the ships. 

9 And the well-polished yoke alone between them keeps them apart. 

1 Upon him as to the knees. 

2 The well-twisted wool of a sheep. See 599 of this book. 

3 *. e. they were too much occupied in protecting themselves from the missiles 
of the enemy — they did not themselves attack. 



ILIAD XIII.— V. 724—764. 229 

treated with loss from the ships and tents to lofty Ilium, had not 
Polydamas, standing near, addressed the brave Hector : 725 

"■ Hector, art thou incapable of yielding 4 to advice ? Because 
God hath given thee, above others, warlike deeds 5 , for that reason 
dost thou also desire to be more skilled than others in council ? 
But thou canst not by any means thyself obtain all things at 
once. For to one has God given the deeds of war; and to 730 
another dancing ; and to another the harp and singing ; and in 
another, again, the far-sounding Jove implants a good under- 
standing in his bosom, and many men reap the advantage of it ; 
and it preserves cities; and the possessor himself especially 
knows its value. And I will speak as appears to me to be best ; 735 
for the circle 6 of war burns round thee on all sides, and the 
brave Trojans, since they have crossed the rampart, some stand 
aloof with their arms, and others fight, the fewer against the 
more, scattered among the ships. But, retiring, do thou summon 740 
hither all the chiefs. And there may we better discuss the 
whole matter — whether we shall fall upon the many-benched 
ships, or if the deity give us power, return back, whilst we are 
safe, from the ships ; for indeed I fear lest the Achseans will ac- 745 
quit their yesterday's debt, since an hero, insatiable in war, still 
remains at the ships, who I think will certainly no longer abstain 
from battle." 

Thus spake Polydamas, and the prudent advice pleased Hec- 
tor. And immediately he leaped with his armour from his car 
to the ground, and, addressing him, spake these winged words: 750 

" Polydamas, retain thou here all the bravest, and I will go 
there 7 and encounter the battle. And I will come back again 
forthwith, when I have given proper orders to the troops" 

He said, and rushed on like to a snowy mountain 8 shouting, 
and flew through the Trojans and allies. And the others all Too 
crowded round the valour-loving Polydamas, son of Panthous, 
when they heard the shout of Hector. And he (Hector) ranged 
through the foremost combatants, seeking Deiphobus, and the 
might of prince Helenus, and Adamas, 'the son of Asias, and 
Asius, the son of Hyrtacus, if he could any where find them. 760 
And them he found no longer unhurt, nor undestroyed : for some 
now lay at the sterns of the ships of the Achseans, having lost 
their lives by the hands of the Argives ; and others were within 
the rampart , smitten from a distance, or wounded close at hand- 

4 Or, there is no making thee yield, &c. 

5 i. e. has given thee strength and daring to perform. 

6 Crown. 7 i, e% t0 . the left. See 675. 

8 Compare Virgil, Mn. xii. 701. o i. <?. by the ships. 



230 ILIAD XIII— V. 765— 801. 

765 But quickly found he, on the left of the lamentable 1 battle, noble 
Alexander, husband of the fair-haired Helen, encouraging his 
companions, and exhorting them to fight; and, standing near, he 
addressed him with insulting words : 

" Accursed Paris, brave only in person, woman-mad, trickster, 

770 where are Dei'phobus and the might of prince Helenus, and 
Adamas, the son of Asias, and Asius, the son of Hyrtacus? 
Where also is Othryoneus ? Now lofty Ilium all perishes from 
its summit— now its fearful destruction is sure." 

And to him in return, godlike Alexander said ; " Hector, as 
thou art resolved 2 to blame me when blameless, I must speak. 

775 At other times I may have seemed to skulk from battle, but not 
now; for neither did my mother bear me altogether un warlike. 
For from the time thou didst stir up the battle of thy comrades 
at the ships, from that time, remaining here, have we engaged 

780 incessantly with the Danaans : but those comrades are dead for 
whom thou inquirest. Deiphobus and the might of prince 
Helenus alone are withdrawn, both wounded in the hand with 
long spears ; but the son of Saturn has warded off their death. 
Lead on them now, wheresoever thy heart and soul urge thee ; 

785 and we will follow with determined minds, nor do I think that 
thou wilt be at all in want of valour, as far as our strength will 
admit 3 . But it is not possible, even for him who keenly desires 
it, to fight beyond his strength." 

So saying, the hero soothed . the rage 4 of his brother. And 
onwards to the spot, where especially was the battle, and the 

790 contest, hastened 5 Cebriones, and good Polydamas, Phalces, and 
Orthaaus, and godlike Polyphetes, and Palmys, and Ascanius and 
Morys, sons of Hippotion — who the morning before had come 
from fertile Ascinia, to take their turn of service 6 ; for Jove 

795 then urged them to fight. And they marched, like the blast of 
boisterous winds, which rushes down to the plain, urged by the 
thunder of father Jove, and mingles with the ocean in wild 
tumult ; and in it rise many boiling billows of the far-sounding 
sea, swollen, whitened with foam, first some, and then others 

800 after. So the Trojans, first some, in battle array 7 , and then 
others glittering in brass, followed along with their leaders, 

1 Causing tears. , 2 Since it is thy mind to thee. 

3 As much strength as is present. 4 qpgsvss. 

5 Bav «5' i^sv — afA<pi <re Kefigiovyv, & c . scil. ol. Those about Cebriones set 
out to go — i. e. Cebriones and his troops, &c. 

6 otjxoj/3o« — successors — reliefs. The length of the war, it may be supposed, 
had made snch an arrangement expedient for the allies, 

7 i. e. ag*)poTSg — i. e. in compact bodies. 



ILIAD XIIL— V. 802—837. 231 

And Hector, the son of Priam, equal to man-slaying Mars, led 
the van, and held before him a shield, on all sides equal, thick 
with hides ; and much brass was laid over them : and round his 805 
temples his refulgent helmet nodded. Stepping forward, he 
tried the phalanxes around on every side, if perchance they 
would give way to him, advancing under cover of his shield. 
Yet he disturbed not the courage of the Achseans in their breasts : 
and Ajax, advancing with long strides first challenged him : 

" Come nearer, friend ; why frightenest 8 thou the Argives 810 
thus ? Not unskilful in battle are we Achaeans — but we are 
subdued by the evil scourge of Jove. Thy soul hopes, without 
doubt, to plunder the ships ; but we too have hands to repulse 
thee speedily 9 . And long before 1 shall your well inhabited city 815 
be taken by our hands and destroyed. And to thee thyself I say, 
the time is near, when flying, thou shalt pray to father Jove and 
the other immortals, to have 2 beautiful horses, swifter than 
hawks, which shall bear thee to the city, raising up the dust on S20 
the plain." 

Whilst he was thus speaking, a bird flew over on the right — 
a lofty-flying eagle; and at it the people of the Achseans 
shouted, encouraged by the omen. And the illustrious Hector 
replied : 

u O babbling and bull-headed 3 Ajax, what hast thou said ? 
Would that I were as surely so for ever 4 a child of segis-bearing. 825 
Jove, and the imperial Juno had borne me, and that I were 
honoured as Minerva and Apollo are honoured, as that now this 
day certainly brings woe on all the Argives : and among them 
shalt thou be slain, if thou darest to abide my long spear, which 
shall tear for thee thy dainty person ; and thou shalt glut the 830 
dogs and birds of the Trojans with thy fat and flesh, falling be- 
side the ships cf the Achaeans." 

Thus then having spoken, he led on : and they followed along 
with him with a mighty shout, and the troops likewise shouted 
in the rear. And the Argives, on the other side, raised a shout, 
nor were forgetful of their valour, but awaited the bravest of 835 
the advancing Trojans. And the cry of both reached to the 
heavens, and to the splendours of Jove. 

8 i. e. triest to do so. 

9 To us also there are hands immediately to repulse thee. 

1 i. e. before you take our ships. 2 That there be to thee, &c. 

3 fivjyaiz — bull of the earth — brute — the epithet, doubtless, is levelled at the 
bulk, and implied stupidity of the hero. 4 All days. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK XIV. 



ARGUMENT. 



Agamemnon and the other wounded chiefs, taking Nestor with them, visit the 
battle. Juno, having borrowed the Cestus of Venus, first engages the assis- 
tance of Sleep, then hastes to Ida to inveigle Jove. She prevails. Jove sleeps ; 
and Neptune takes that opportunity to succour the Grecians. 

And the shouting escaped not entirely the observation of 
Nestor, although drinking; but he addressed these winged 
•words to the son of Esculapius : " Think, noble Machaon, how 
these things will be 1 ; greater certainly grows the shouting of 
the vigorous youth at the ships. But sit thou here now, and 
5 drink 2 the dark wine, until the fair-haired Hecamede has 
heated the warm baths, and washed away thy bloody gore ; and 
I, going with speed to a watch tower, will gather information 3 ." 
So saying, he took the well-made shield of his own son 

10 Thrasymedes, tamer of horses, which tvas lying in the tent, 
shining with brass — for Thrasymedes had his father's shield — 
and seized a strong spear, pointed with sharp brass ; and stood 
without the tent, and soon beheld a shocking work — the Achoeans 

15 in confusion, and the insolent Trojans routing them in their rear ; 
and the rampart of the Achseans beaten down. And as when the 
vast sea with silent wave is perturbed — foreboding thus the 
rapid courses 4 of shrill winds — and rolls neither one way nor 
the other, before some decisive blast comes down from Jove ; 

20 so meditated the old man, distracted in his mind between two 
opinions — whether he should go to the throng of Danaans, posses- 

1 i. e. what is, or is going to be the matter. 2 Sitting, drink. 

3 i. e. and going to some look-out (some open or elevated spot), I will soon learn 
the cause. 4 Ways. 



*k 



ILIAD XIV.— V. 22—62. 233 

sed of fleet horses, or towards Agamemnon, son of Atreus, shep- 
herd of people. And to him, thus reflecting, it appeared to be 
preferable to proceed in search of the son of Atrens. And the 
armies meanwhile slaughtered each other, maintaining the light 5 ; 25 
and the solid 6 brass around their bodies rang, as they were smit- 
ten 7 with swords and double-pointed spears. 

And the royal chiefs, as many as had been wounded with the 
brass, Tydides, and Ulysses, and Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, 
met Nestor coming up from their ships. For very far away 
from the battle were their ships drawn up upon the shore of 30 
the hoary deep ; for they had dragged up the first 8 ships towards 
the plain, and had built the rampart at their sterns. For, wide 
as it was, the shore was by no means able to contain their vessels 9 ; 
and the people were crowded. Wherefore they dragged them 35 
up in rows 1 , and filled the wide mouth of the whole shore, 
as much as the promontories enclosed. There then were they 
walking together, leaning upon the spear, for the purpose of 
beholding the tumult and the battle ; and their heart in their 
bosoms was grieved. And the aged Nestor met them, and 
alarmed the hearts in the breasts of the Achseans : and him first 40 
king Agamemnon addressing, said : 

" O Nelei'an Nestor, great glory of the Achaeans, why comest 
thou hither, leaving the murderous battle ? I fear lest the 
impetuous Hector has at last made good his speech, as once he 
threatened, while haranguing among the Trojans, that he would 45 
not return to Ilium from the ships, before he had lighted the 
barks with fire, and slain ourselves also — so he harangued, and 
now at last all will be fulfilled. Ye gods, surely the other weli- 
greaved Achseans, as well as Achilles, lay up wrath against me 50 
in their souls ; and will not fight at the stern of the ships." 

And him the Gerenian chief, Nestor, answered : " Truly 
these things are done 2 , nor can even the high-thundering Jupi- 
ter himself contrive them otherwise ; for the wail, in which we 
trusted that it would be an impregnable defence to the ships 55 
and to ourselves, has now fallen. And they wage a furious battle 
at the swift ships incessantly ; nor can you any longer distinguish, 
though closely examining, in what quarter the Achaaans, con- 
founded, are most routed— so pell-mell are they slain, and the g(j 
shout reaches the heaven. Let us however deliberate what 
must be done 3 , if counsel can do aught ; but I do not advise that 

5 Fighting. 6 Unsubdued. 7 Of them struck. 8 L e. the first line. 

9 i. e. all in one line. l irgoxgotftfag — in lines one behind the other. 

2 These things are ready done — i. e. they are done and cannot be undone. 

3 How these matters shall be. 



234 ILIAD XIV— Y. 63—102. 

we enter the battle ; for it is not practicable for the wounded 
to fight." 

And to him. in reply, said Agamemnon, king of men : " Nes- 

65 tor, since they are combating at the sterns of the ships, and the 
rampart constructed avails not aught, nor the ditch at which the 
Danaans toiled much, and hoped in their minds that it would be 
an impregnable defence to the ships and to themselves — so seems 

70 it to be agreeable to all-powerful Jove, that the Achasans perish 
here inglorious, far from Argos. For I knew 4 , when he willingly 
gave assistance to the Danaans ; and now I know that he, to- 
gether with the blessed gods, glorifies the Trojans, and shackles 
our courage and hands. Come then, let us all be persuaded to 
do, as I shall advise. Let us drag away the ships, as many as 

75 are drawn up first near the sea, and launch them all into the vast 
ocean. Let us moor them to anchors in the deep, till the still 
night arrive, if even in it the Trojans abstain from battle, and 

80 then we will drag out all the vessels ; for there is no disgrace in 
flying from evil, not even in the night. It is better for a man 
to escape evil, flying from it, than be taken." 

And him then wise Ulysses, looking sternly, addressed : " Son 
of Atreus, what speech is this which has escaped the barrier of 
thy teeth ? Dastard 5 , would that thou didst command some other 

85 worthless army, and ruled not us, to whom Jove has given, from 
youth even to old age 6 , to accomplish toilsome wars until we 
each of us perish. Dost thou then so desire to abandon well- 

90 streeted Troy, on account of which we have endured many 
woes ? Be silent lest some other of the Achseans hear a speech, 
which no man ought to have uttered 7 , — no one who understands 8 
in his mind how to give sound advice 9 , who is a prince 1 , and 
whom so many people obey, as thou dost govern among the 

95 Argives. For now do I reprobate thy judgment in what thou 
hast said, who commandest us, whilst the war and battle are 
raging 2 , to drag the well-benched ships to sea, in order that their 
wishes may be still better fulfilled to the Trojans, victorious 
though they be, and dire destruction fall upon us ; for the Achee- 
100 ans w iH n ot maintain the fight, if the ships are dragged down 
to the sea, but will look back 3 and shrink from combat. Then 
will thy plan be injurious, O prince of the people." 

4 i. e. I was conscious of it — I was fully convinced by certain signs of the will 
of the gods. 5 Lost — worthy to be lost. 6 i. e. through life. 

7 Brought through his mouth. s i. e. who is in his senses. 

9 To speak wise things. * A sceptre-bearer. 

2 The war and shout being made to stand together — being joined. 

3 i. e. for the means of refuge. 



ILIAD XIV.— V. 103—136. 235 

And him answered then Agamemnon, the king of men: 
" Ulysses, thou hast cut 4 me to the soul with thy severe reproof; 
yet I bade not the sons of the Achasans, against their will, drag 105 
down the well-benched ships to the sea. And I wish there were 
any one, either young or old, who would suggest a better plan 
than this ; I should be delighted with him 5 ." 

And the gallant Diomedes spake also among them : " Near is 
the man— we shall not seek long for him, if ye will be advised. 110 
And be none of you offended 6 , because I who thus speak am in 
age the youngest amongst you ; for I also boast to be by birth of 
a noble father, Tydeus, whom the piled-up earth covers at 
Thebes. For to Portheus were born three distinguished sons, 115 
and they dwelt in Pleuron and the lofty Calydon — Agrius, and 
Melas, and the third was noble 7 (Eneus, the father of my father ; 
and he was conspicuous among them for valour. He indeed 
remained there in the same spot ; but my father, roaming 8 , dwelt 
at Argos, for so Jove doubtless willed, and the other gods. And 120 
he married one of the daughters of Adrastus, and he inhabited 
a mansion abounding in opulence 9 ; for numerous corn-fields were 
his 1 , and there were many orchards of trees around him, and his 
flocks were numerous. And he surpassed the Achseans in the 
use of the spear ; but these things ye must yourselves have 125 
heard to be true. Therefore do not, regarding me by birth 
worthless and impotent, treat with contempt the sentiments 
publicly expressed, which I shall utter with good intention 2 . 
Come, then, let us go the battle, wounded as we are, since 
necessity urges 3 . There then let us ourselves abstain from 
combat, out of the reach of weapons, lest any one receive wound 130 
upon wound ; but, by encouraging, we will excite others, who 
before, indulging themselves 4 , stood apart, and did not fight." 

Thus he spake : and they all listened readily, and obeyed. 
And they hastened onward 5 , and the king of men, Agamemnon, 
led them. 

Nor was the illustrious shaker of the earth an inattentive 135 
spectator 6 , but went amongst them in the semblance of an aged 

4 Reached. 

5 To me glad would he (or it) be — i. e. he would be welcome. 

6 Do not each of you at all regard with anger, &c. 

7 iir«7roTa — horseman — a knight — a chief— as distinguished from the canaille. 

8 i. e. was an exile, on account of some homicide. ° Means of life. 

1 And there were corn-producing fields in abundance to him. 

2 Which I shall speak well. 3 From necessity. 

4 Bring gratification to their minds. 5 Nor had he— or kept a bad look-out. 

e i. e* because he does not see, that he must be involved in the common ruin. 



236 ILIAD XIV.— Y. 137—181. 

man, and caught the right hand of Agamemnon, the son of 
Atreus. and, speaking these winged words, addressed him : 
" Son of Atreus, now doubtless the revengeful heart of Achilles 

140 rejoices in his breast, beholding the slaughter of the Achasans; 
for there is no common sense, in him, not the smallest. May he 
however, thus perish, and may a god cover him with disgrace. 
For the blessed Gods are not yet altogether enraged with thee ; 
but again the leaders and chiefs of the Trojans will doubtless 

145 raise the dust upon the wide plain, and thou shalt behold them 
flying towards the city from the ships and the tents." 

So saying, he shouted aloud, rushing over the plain. As loud 
as shout nine or ten thousand men, beginning the contest of 

150 Mars; so loud a cry did king Neptune send from his breast; and 
infused great vigour into every heart among the Achseans, to 
war and to fight without ceasing. 

And Juno of the golden throne, standing, looked with her 
eyes from the summit of Olympus, and immediately recognized 

1 55 her own brother, who was also her husband's brother, exerting 
himself in the glorious battle, and she rejoiced in her soul. Ju- 
piter also she beheld, sitting upon the highest top of Ida, of 
many rills, and he was hateful to her soul. And then the large- 

160 eyed imperial Juno, considered how she could beguile the mind 
of a?gis-bearing Jove 7 . And this plan appeared best to her 
mind — setting herself off to the best advantage, to go to Ida, in 
order that he might desire for love to sleep beside her own per- 
son, that she might infuse into his limbs and vigilant mind care- 

165 less and easy sleep. And she hastened to the chamber, which 
Yulcan, her dear son, had made for her, and had fitted the doors 
close to their frames by a mysterious lock ; for it no other god 8 
could open. There entering in, she closed the shining doors. 

1/0 And first with ambrosia she washed all impurities from her 
lovely person, and bathed herself with rich oil, ambrosial, diffu- 
sive, that which was her perfume 9 ; and the odour of it, though 
shaken in the brass-paved mansion of Jove, reached even to 
earth and to heaven. With this then having bathed her beau- 

175 tiful person, and combed her hair, with her hands she wreathed 
her curls, bright, beautiful, ambrosial, ivhich fell from her im- 
mortal head. And next she threw round her an ambrosial robe, 
which Minerva, adorning, had prepared for her, and put in it 
many embroideries ; and she fastened it upon her bosom with 

180 golden clasps. And she girded herself with a zone, adorned 
with an hundred fringes, and in her well-perforated ears she 

7 And so divert his attention from the battle. s i. e. than Juno. 

9 TO T£^UW/Jt.SVOV. 



ILIAD XIV.— V. 182—224. 237 

put her triple-gemmed, beautiful pendants, and much grace 
shone from her. And above, the most august of the goddesses 
covered herself with a veil, beautiful and newly made, and it 1S5 
was white as the sun ; and under her shining feet she fastened 
her elegant sandals. And when she had arranged all her orna- 
ments around her person, she proceeded straight from the 
chamber ; and having called Yenus apart from the other divini- 
ties, she addressed to her this speech : 

" Wilt thou now be at all persuaded by me, dear child, to do 190 
what I say ? Or wilt thou refuse, being angry in thy mind at 
this, that I assist the Danaans, and thou the Trojans ?" 

And her answered then Venus, the daughter of Jove : " Juno, 
imperial goddess, daughter of mighty Saturn, speak thy wish 1 ; 195 
for my soul bids me* accomplish it, if I at least can accomplish it. 
and if it be accomplishable." 

And imperial Juno, meditating guiles, addressed her : " Give 
me now that loveliness and desirableness with which thou sub- 
duest all the immortals, as well as mortal men : for I am going 
to visit the boundaries of the fertile earth, and Oceanus, parent 200 
of gods, and Tethys, my mother 2 , who nursed and brought me 
up with care in their abodes, receiving me from Rhea, what time 
far-sounding Jove cast down Saturn beneath the earth and the 
unfruitful sea. These I am going to visit, and I will put an end 205 
to their eternal quarrels. For now have they abstained a length 
of time from the bed and embrace of each other, because anger 
has fallen upon their minds. And if, persuading their hearts 
with my words, I should lead them back to the bed, to be united 
again in love, then shall I always be called by them beloved and 210 
respected." 

And her again the smiling Venus addressed : " It is not possi- 
ble, nor is it seemly to refuse thy request, for thou reclinest in 
the arms of Jove, the Omnipotent." 

She said, and loosed from her bosom the embroidered, varie- 
gated zone; and there in it were all blandishments. There in 215 
it were love, and desire, and the soft converse, and the seduction, 
which steals away the senses even of the prudent. This then 
she placed in her hands, and spoke, and addressed her by name : 

ft Take this — put now this variegated zone, in which all 
things are contained, in thy bosom ; and I think that thou wilt 220 
not return without effecting whatever thou desirest in thy 
mind." 

Thus she spake, and large-eyed, imperial Juno smiled, and, 
smiling, then put it in her bosom. Venus, the daughter of Jove, 

1 What thou thinkest. 2 i. e. nurse. 



238 ILIAD XIV.— V. 225-266. 

225 then departed to his mansion ; and Juno, hastening, quitted the 
brow of Olympus ; and. having passed over Pieria and fertile 
Emathia, swept over the snowy mountains of the equestrian 
Thracians, very lofty ridges, nor touched 3 the ground with her 

230 feet. And from Athos she passed over the foaming deep, and 
reached Lemnos, city of divine Thoas, where she met with 
Sleep, the brother of Death ; and grasped his hand, and ad- 
dressed him, and called him by name : N 

" O Sleep, lord 4 of all gods and all men, if ever thou didst 

235 hear my entreaty, be now also again persuaded ; and I shall be 
for ever obliged to thee 5 . Close in sleep for me the bright 
eyes of Jove under his eye-lids, instantly after I recline with 
him in love ; and I will give thee a gift — a handsome throne, 
ever incorruptible, golden. And my limping son, Vulcan, shall 

240 make it, adorning it, and he shall place below thy feet a foot- 
stool, upon which thou mayest rest thy resplendent feet when 
feasting." 

And to her, sweet Sleep, answering, said : " Juno, august god- 
dess, daughter of mighty Saturn, any other of the everlasting 

245 gods I would readily lull to sleep, and even the streams of 
Ocean-river, who is the parent of all ; but I cannot come near to 
Jove, son of Saturn, nor lull him to sleep, unless he himself 
command me. For once before he gave me a lesson by his threats, 

250 on that day when that brave son of Jove 6 sailed from Ilium, 
after plundering the city of the Trojans. Then I lulled the 
mind of a?gis-bearing Jove, diffused sweetly around him : for 
thou didst plan mischief against him 7 in thy mind, rousing the 
blasts of tempestuous winds over the deep, and didst then carry 

255 him away apart from all his friends to the well inhabited Cos. 
But Jove, on waking, was enraged, dashing about the gods 
throughout the mansion, and me chiefly he sought of all. and 
would have cast me down, out of sight, from the oether into the 
deep, had not Night, vanquisher of gods and of men, preserved 

260 me. To her I went fleeing for refuge ; and he restrained him- 
self, angry as he was ; for he scrupled 8 to do things which were 
disagreeable to swift Night. And now again thou urgest me 
to accomplish this other desperate deed." v 

And to him again large-eyed, imperial Juno spoke : " O Sleep, 
why thinkest thou these things in tlty mind ? Supposest thou 

C35 that the far-sounding Jove so favours the Trojans, as he was 
enraged on account of Hercules, his own son ? Come then oblige 

3 Caught. 4 ava%. 

s Have gratitude to thee all days. 6 Hercules. i Hercules. 

8 i. e, he had too much respect for her, &c. 



ILIAD XIV.- Y. 267—307. 239 

me, and I will give thee one of the younger Graces to wed. and 
to be called thy spouse — Pasithea, whom day after day 9 thou 
ever desirest." 

Thus she spake ; and Sleep was delighted, and, answering, 270 
said to her : " Well, swear to me now by the inviolable water 
of the Styx, and touch with one hand the fertile earth, and with 
the other the marble sea — so that all the gods beneath, which 
are 1 around Saturn, may be witnesses between us that thou wilt 275 
give me one of the younger Graces— Pasithea, whom I myself 
for ever desire." 

Thus he spake, nor did the white-armed goddess Juno refuse, 
but swore as he bade her, and named all gods who dwell under 
Tartarus, which are called Titanes, And when she had sworn, 280 
and completed her oath, they both proceeded, leaving the city 
of Lemnos and Imbrus, mantled in a cloud, quickly making their 
way; and came to Ida of many streams, the mother of wild 
beasts, to Lectos 2 , where first they quitted the sea : and they 
both advanced over the land, and the tops of the forests were 285 
shaken beneath their feet. There Sleep indeed remained, 
before the eyes of Jove should behold him; ascending a very 
lofty pine, which then growing the highest upon Ida, reached 
through the air to the clouds 3 . *There he sat, closely covered 
with the pine branches, like to a shrill bird in the mountains, 290 
which the gods call Chalcis, and men Cymindis. 

And Juno proceeded hastily to Gargarus the summit of lofty 
Ida ; and cloud-collecting Jove beheld her. And as soon as he saw 
her, desire took entire possession of 4 his grave senses, just as 
when first they were connected in love, frequenting the bed, 295 
without the knowledge of their fond parents. And he stood 
before her, addressed her, and called her by name : 

"Juno, wherefore, hastening from Olympus, comest thou 
hither, and thy horses and car are not near, which thou mayst 
mount ?" 

And him august Juno, meditating guiles, addressed : " I am 300 
going to visit the boundaries of the fertile earth, and Oceanus, 
parent of gods, and my mother Tethys, who nursed and brought 
me with care to their mansions. Them I am going to see, and 
will put an end to their eternal quarrels. For now have they 
long-abstained from the bed and embrace of each other, because 305 
anger has fallen upon their minds. And my steeds, which will 
bear me over wet and dry, stand near the foot of Ida of many 

9 All days. l Being. 

2 The first point of Ida — forming a sea-promontory. 

3 To the aether. * Covered round. 



240 ILIAD XIV.— V. 309—354. 

streams. Now, howevet, on thy account have I come hither 

310 from Olympus, lest perchance thou might afterwards he angry 
with me, were I to go in silence to the abode of deep-flowing 
Oceanus." 

And her, the cloud-collecting Jove answering, addressed: 
" Juno, thou canst go thither by and by ; but come, let us recline 

315 and indulge in love; for never thus did the love of goddess or 
of woman, diffused through my breast, so subdue me : neither 
when I loved the wife 5 of Ixion, who was the mother of Piri- 
thous, a chief equal to gods ; nor when / loved beautiful-footed 

320 Danae, daughter of Acrisius, who bore Perseus, the most illus- 
trious of all men ; nor when I loved the far-famed daughter 6 of 
Phoenix, who bore to me Minos and the godlike Rhadamanthus ; 
nor yet even when / loved Semele, nor Alcmena in Thebes — 

325 she who brought forth my valiant son, Hercules — and Semele 

bore me Bacchus, the joy of mortals ; nor when / loved Ceres, 

the beautiful-haired queen : nor when the glorious Latona — nor 

thee thyself — as now I love thee, and sweet desire seizes me." 

But imperial Juno, meditating guiles, said to him : " O horrid 

330 son of Saturn, what words hast thou spoken? If now thou 
desirest to recline in love upon the tops of Ida, and every thing 
is visible, — how will it be, if any of the eternal gods should see 
us sleeping, and, going amongst all the gods, should tell it ? I 

335 indeed could not return to thy mansion, rising from the couch ; 
for it would be quite unseemly. But if in truth thou wishest 
it, and it be agreeable to thy soul, there is thy chamber, which 
Yulcan, thy beloved son, formed for thee, and fitted its door close 

240 to its frame. Thither let us go and recline, since an embrace is 
thy pleasure." 

And to her, cloud-collecting Jove, answering, said : "Fear not, 
O Juno, that any, either of gods or of men, shall behold this — 
with such a golden cloud will I cover us round — not even the 

245 sun shall see us through it, whose eye 7 is the sharpest to see." 

Thus spake the son of Saturn ; and he caught his wife in his 

arms. And the divine earth produced fresh herbage under them. 

the dewy lotus, and the crocus, and the hyacinth, clustering and 

soft, which kept them high from the earth. Upon this couch 

350 they reclined, and clothed themselves above with a beautiful 
golden cloud ; and radiant dew-drops fell from it. 

Thus quietly slumbered the father upon the summit of Gar- 
garus, subdued by sleep and love, and held his spouse in his 
arms. And sweet Sleep made haste to run to the ships of the 



5 Dia. 6 Europa. 7 Light 



ILIAD XIV.— V. 355—394 241 

Achseans, to deliver 8 a message to Neptune, shaker of the earth. 355 
And ; standing near, he spake to him these winged words : 

" Now, Neptune, with good-will give assistance to the Danaans, 
and bestow glory upon them, at least for a little, whilst yet 
Jove sleeps ; for I have covered him around with soft slumber, 
and Juno has seduced him to recline with her in love." 360 

So saying, he departed to the noble tribes of men, and Nep- 
tune he still more impelled to assist the Danaans ; and imme- 
diately springing forward far among the foremost, Neptune ex- 
horted them : 

" Argives, again then yield we the victory to Hector, son of 
Priam, that he may seize the ships, and gain glory ? He indeed 365 
thinks so, and boasts, because Achilles remains at the hollow 
ships, enraged in his heart. But of him there will not be great 
want, if the rest of us be prompt to assist one another. Come 
then, let us all be persuaded to do as I advise. Putting on 9 our 370 
shields — as many as are the best and largest in the army — and 
covering our heads with glittering helmets, and taking the 
longest spears in our hands, let us advance ; and I will lead the 
way, nor do I think that Hector, son of Priam, will await us, 
very impetuous though he be. Whatever man is vigorous in 375 
fight, and has a small shield upon his shoulder, let him give it 
to an inferior man, and himself put on the larger shield." 

Thus he spake ; and they listened to him readily, and obeyed. 
And the kings themselves, Tydides, and Ulysses, and Agamem- 380 
non, son of Atreus, wounded as they were, marshalled the troops; 
and, going about among them all, changed their martial wea- 
pons — the brave man took 1 good arms, and to the worse they 
gave the worse. And when they had girded the splendid brass 
around their bodies, they bestirred to advance : and Neptune, 385 
the shaker of the earth, led them on, grasping in his firm hand 
a dreadful, long-edged sword, resembling a thunderbolt; and 
with him can none engage in destructive battle, and terror re- 
strains the heroes. 

On the other side again the illustrious Hector drew up the 
Trojans. Then truly the cerulean-haired Neptune and iilus- 390 
trious Hector excited 2 the severest struggle of war, the one as- 
sisting the Trojans, and the other the Argives. And the sea 
was dashed up to the tents and ships of the Argives; and they 
engaged with a mighty shout. Nor so loud does the wave of 

3 Delivering. 

9 The shield was suspended by a belt thrown over the shoulder. ' Put on. 

2 ravurftfav— stretched— i. e. ffSipap egitios, the rope of battle. Compare A. 
336, and N. 359. 

17 



242 ILIAD XIV.— V. 395—435. 

395 the ocean bellow against the land, driven from the deep by the 
rough blast of Boreas ; nor so great is the roar of blazing fire in 
the glens of a mountain, when it is raised to consume the forest ; 
nor so loud howls the wind amidst high-branched oaks, (which, 

400 when particularly violent, roars loudest there,) as was the cry of 
the Trojans and Achseans, shouting awfully, when they rushed 
one upon the other. 

And the illustrious Hector first threw with his spear at Ajax, 
as he was turned right towards him, and hit him 3 there, where 
the two belts were extended across his breast, both that of the 

405 shield, and that of the silver-hilted sword. These protected his 
soft skin ; and Hector was enraged that his swift weapon had 
flown in vain from his hand; and he retired back upon the 
column of his comrades, avoiding death. At him then departing, 
the mighty Telamonian Ajax with -a stone — which stones in 

410 great numbers, as props of the swift ships, rolled about among 
the feet of the combatants — one of these lifting up, he struck 
him with it upon the breast, above the orb of the shield, near 
the neck. And, throwing, he whirled it like a top 4 , and it spun 
round all the way. And as when, beneath the stroke of father 

415 Jove, an oak falls uprooted, and a terrible smell of sulphur arises 
from it ; and confidence 5 no longer possesses the man, whosoever, 
being near, beholds it, for the thunderbolt of mighty Jove is 
awful ; so rapidly upon the ground dropt the might of Hector 
in the dust; and the spear fell from his hand, and his shield 

420 followed on him, and his helmet ; and his armour, variegated 
with brass, rung about him. Then the sons of the Achaaans, 
loudly shouting, rushed in, hoping to drag him off, and hurled 
numerous javelins ; but no one was able either to strike from a 
distance, or to smite close at hand the shepherd of people, for 

425 the bravest warriors, Polydamas, and JEneas, and the noble 
Agenor, and Sarpedon, leader of the Lycians, and the good 
Glaucus, first threw themselves round him. And no one of the 
rest neglected him, but held their well-orbed shields before 
him. And his comrades then, raising him in their hands, bore 

430 him out of the battle 6 , till he reached his fleet horses, which 
stood for him in rear of the combat and the war, with both the 
driver and variegated car; and they carried him, groaning 
heavily, towards the city. 

But when now they came to the ford 7 of the fair-flowing river 
of eddying Xanthus, whom immortal Jove begot, there they re- 

435 moved him from his car to the ground, and poured water over 

3 Nor missed. A Perhapr, a quoit. 5 i. e. but fear does. 

6 Toil. 7 The crossing. 



ILIAD XIV.— V. 436—476. 243 

him ; and he breathed again, and looked up with his eyes ; and, 
resting upon his knees, threw up some black blood. And again 
he fell back 8 upon the ground, and dark night covered his eyes ; 
for the blow still subdued his spirit. 

And the Argives when they beheld Hector departing 9 , pressed 440 
more upon the Trojans, and were mindful of battle. Then by 
far the first swift Oilean Ajax, leaping forward with his sharp 
spear, wounded Satnius, son of Enops, whom a Naid, a noble 
nymph, bore to Enops, when keeping his herds by the banks of 445 
Satnioeis. Him the spear-skilled son of Oileus, drawing near, 
wounded in the flank ; and he fell supine, and round him the 
Trojans and Danaans raised a sharp conflict. And against him 
(Ajax) came spear-shaking Polydamas, son of Panthous, an 450 
avenger, and smote Prothoenor, son of Arei'lochus, upon the 
right shoulder. And he drove the impetuous spear though his 
shoulder ; and, falling in the dust, Prothoenor grasped the earth 
with his hand. Then Polydamas boasted mightily over him, 
shouting aloud : % 

" Again, I think, the weapon has not sprung in vain from the 
strong hand of the brave son of Panthous, but one of the Argives 455 
has received it in his body ; and I think that he, leaning upon 
it, will descend to the mansion of Hades." 

Thus he spake, and there was grief among the Argives at his 
boast 1 ; and particularly did it shake the soul of the warlike 
Ajax, son of Telamon, for he had fallen very near to him ; and 460 
forthwith he hurled at him as he departed. Polydamas himself, 
however, avoided black fate, springing aside ; but Archilochus, 
son of Antenor, received the stroke, for to him the gods had 
doomed destruction. Him then he struck upon the last verte- 465 
bra, in the joining of the head and neck, and dissevered both 
tendons ; and the head, and the mouth, and the nostrils of him, 
falling, met the ground much sooner than his legs and knees 2 . 
Then Ajax in turn cried out to the noble Polydamas : 

" Consider, Polydamas, and tell me true ; is not this man 470 
worthy to be slain in exchange for Prothoenor 3 : he appears not 
to me to be a base person, nor sprung from base parents, but to 
be a brother, or a son of Antenor, tamer of horses, for he seems 
most like his race 4 ." 

Thus he spake, well knowing him : and grief seized the 475 
spirits of the Trojans. Then Acamas, stalking around his 

8 And again backward he was on the ground. 

9 Going apart — i. e. from the troops. i He boasting. 

* i. e. he fell headlong. 3 i. e. is he not a fair equivalent for Prothoenor 1 

4 i. e. there is a great family likeness. 



244 ILIAD XIV.— V. 476—514. 

brother 5 , wounded with his spear Promachus, the Boeotion. 
whilst he was dragging off Archilochus by the feet. And 
Acamas boasted mightily over him, shouting aloud : 

" Ye Argives, archers, insatiable of threats, assuredly not to 

480 us alone will there be toil and sorrow, but thus ye also shall 
sometime be slain. Mark how your Promachus sleeps, subdued 
by my spear, that the vengeance of my brother might not be 
long unpaid. Therefore shall every man wish a brother to be 

485 left in his family, an avenger of his death 6 ." 

Thus he spake ; and there was grief in the Argives at his 
boast; and it particularly shook the feelings of the warlike 
Peneleus. And he rushed upon Acamas ; but he awaited not 
the charge of king Peneleus ; and he wounded Ilioneus, son of 

490 Phorbas, rich in cattle, whom Mercury most loved of the Tro- 
jans, and presented with possessions ; and to him did the mother 
bear Ilioneus alone 7 . Him then he wounded below the brow, at 
the roots of the eye, and forced out the ball ; and the spear went 
forward through the eye, and through the hinder part of the 

495 head ; and he sunk down, extending both his hands. And 
Peneleus, drawing his sharp sword, smote him upon the middle 
of the neck, and struck off his head with its helmet to the 
ground ; and the strong spear was still in the eye. And he 

500 spake, lifting the head, like the head of a poppy, and addressed 
the Trojans, and, boasting, uttered this speech : 

" Report for me, ye Trojans, to the beloved father and mother 
of the illustrious Ilioneus, that they may lament him in their 
halls ; for neither will the wife of Promachus 8 , the son of Ale- 
genor, be delighted with her dear lord, coming bach, when we 

505 sons of the Achseans return from Troy with our ships." 

Thus he spake ; and pallid fear seized upon them all, and 
each gazed about, seeking where he might escape dire destruc- 
tion. 

Tell me now, ye Muses, possessing Olympian mansions, which 

510 of the Achaeans now first bore away bloody spoils 9 , when the 
illustrious shaker of the earth turned the battle 1 . 

Telamonian Ajax first wounded Hyrtius, son of Gyrtias. 
leader of the undaunted Mysians. And Antilochus stript the 
armour off Phalces and Mermerus. And Meriones slew Morys 
and Hippotion. And Teucer slew Prothoon and Periphetes. 



i. e. to protect the body, 6 A^c — See N. 444. 



i. e. 



Ilioneus's mother — he was her only child by Mercury. 



8 >. e. the death of Promachus was avenged by that of Ilioneus. The relatives 
of both parties will alike have to lament. 9 The spoils of a man. 

1 i. e. made the Trojans give way. 



ILIAD XIV.— V. 515—522. 245 

And next the son of Atreus wounded upon the flank Hyperenor, 515 
shepherd of people, and the spear, cutting its way 2 , let out his 
entrails; and his soul flew, expelled, through the inflicted 
wound, and darkness covered his eyes. And Ajax, the swift 
son of Oileus, slew the most ; for there was not any equal to him 520 
for speed, to press upon the flying men, when Jove sent rout 
amongst them 3 . 

2 Laying waste. 

3 To pursue on foot, while men are in a fright, when Jove sends flight among 
rhem. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER. 



BOOK XV. 



ARGUMENT. 

Jove awakening, and seeing the Trojans routed, threatens J uno. He sen.ls iris to 
admonish Neptune to relinquish the battle, and Apollo to restore health to Hec- 
tor. Apollo, armed with the aegis, puts to flight the Grecians ; they are pursued 
home to their fleet, and Telamonian Ajax slays twelve Trojans bringing fire to 
burn it. 

But when the fugitives 1 had passed over the palisades and the 
ditch, and many were subdued by the hands of the Danaans, the 
rest were at last cheeked, halting beside the cars, pale through 
fear, and terrified. And Jupiter awoke on the tops of Ida, be- 
5 side Juno of the golden throne ; and starting up he stood, and 
beheld the Trojans and Achseans, the former in confusion, and 
the Argives routing them from behind ; and with them king 
Neptune. And Hector he saw lying upon the plain, and his 

10 comrades sat round him, and he was oppressed with difficult 
breathing, faint at heart, and vomiting blood, for not the feeblest 
of the Achaeans had wounded him. And the father of men and 
gods, beholding, pitied him : and, looking awfully and sternly at 
Juno, addressed to her this speech : 

" Doubtless this is thy mischievous treachery, artful Juno. 

15 that has caused the noble Hector to cease from battle, and routed 
his troops. Truly I know not, whether thou shouldst not first 
again reap the fruits of thy pernicious machinations, and I chas- 
tise thee with stripes. What, rememberest thou not when thou 
wert suspended on high, and I hung two anvils on thy feet, and 

20 bound round thy hands a golden chain insoluble ? And thou 
wast suspended in the air and clouds, and the gods were indig- 

1 (peuyovrsg. 



ILIAD XV.— V. 22-62. 247 

nant in lofty Olympus, but were unable to loose thee, though 
attempting it 2 : and whom 3 1 laid hold of, seizing 4 , 1 hurled from 
the threshold of heaven, till he reached the earth, scarcely 
breathing. Nor even thus did the enduring pang leave my soul 25 
for the divine Hercules; whom thou, prevailing upon the 
storms, with the help of the north wind, didst send over the 
unfruitful sea, plotting mischief against him, and then didst bear 
him to well-inhabited Cos. From thence it was I rescued him, 
and brought him back again to Argos, feeder of horses, after 30 
conflicting with great toils. These things I again recall to thy 
memory, that thou mayst desist from thy tricks ; in order that 
thou mayst know whether love and the couch avail thee, in 
which, coming apart from the gods, thou wert mingled with me, 
and seduced me." 

Thus he spake ; and the large-eyed imperial Juno shuddered, 
and, addressing him, uttered these winged words : 35 

a Let the earth' and the wide heaven above now know this, 
and the water of Styx gliding beneath, which is the greatest 
and most terrible oath among the blessed gods ; and let thy own 
sacred head know, and our own nuptial couch — and that I would 
never falsely invoke — that not through my impulse does Nep- 40 
tune, the shaker of the earth, harass the Trojans and Hector, 
and assist the others. But him doubtless his own soul incites 
and urges ; and he felt compassion, beholding the Achasans op- 
pressed at the ships. Nevertheless even to him will I give 45 
advice, to go where thou, O cloud-collector, leadest the way 5 ." 

Thus she spake : and the father of men and gods smiled, and, 
replying, addressed to her these winged words ; 

" If now thou wilt henceforth, O large-eyed imperial Juno, sit 
among the immortals thinking in unison 6 with me, then will 50 
Neptune, even if he wish otherwise, immediately change his 
mind according to thy will 7 and mine. If then thou now speak- 
est really and truly, go at once to the companies of gods, and 
desire 8 Iris to come hither, and Apollo, famed for his bow, that 55 
she may go among the people of the brazen-mailed Achaeans, 
and tell king Neptune, ceasing from battle, to repaii to his own 
abodes ; and that Phoebus Apollo may rouse up Hector to battle, 
and breathe vigour into him again, and make him forget the 60 
pains which now wring his soul ; and again let him repel the 
Achaeans, stirring up base panic amongst them ; and let them 

2 Literally — by placing themselves near — implying active efforts to rescue her. 

3 i. e. dost thou not remember, whom I, &c. 

* i. e. by the leg — meaning Vulcan. Compare A. 521. 

8 i. e. do nothing contrary to thy will. 6 Equally. 7 Heart. 8 Call. 



248 ILIAD XV— V. 63—104. 

rush to the many-benched ships of Achilles, the son of Peleus, 
flying for refuge. And he (Achilles) shall stir up his comrade 

65 Patroclus ; and him shall the illustrious Hector slay with his 
spear in front of Ilium, after he has cut off many other youths, 
and among them my son, noble Sarpedon ; and enraged on his 
account, the noble Achilles shall slay Hector. After that I will 
then effect a repulse for thee from the ships, utterly, till the 

70 Achseans, by the counsels of Minerva, capture lofty Ilium. But, 
however, I will not cease from mine anger, nor will I here suffer 
any of the other immortals to aid the Danaans, until the desire 

75 of Pelides be completed ; as I at first promised to him, and con- 
firmed with my head, on that day when the goddess Thetis 
touched my knees, intreating me to honour Achilles, destroyer 
of cities." 

Thus he spake nor did the white-armed goddess Juno disobey, 
but went from the Idaean mountains towards the lofty Olympus. 

80 And as when flashes 9 the mind of a man, who, having traversed 
over many a land, thinks within his prudent heart, " I was here, 
or I was there," and considers of a multitude of things; so 
quickly up flew the eager imperial Juno 1 . And she reached 

85 the high Olympus, and went in among the immortal gods, as- 
sembled together in the house of Jove ; and they seeing her, all 
rose up, and welcomed her with their cups. The rest, however, 
she noticed not, but received a cup from the fair-cheeked The- 
mis ; for she first came running to meet her, and, addressing her, 
had spoken these winged words : 

90 " Wherefore, O Juno, hast thou ascended, and art like one 
panic-struck? Has the son of Saturn, who is thy husband, 
greatly alarmed thee ?" 

And to her the white-armed goddess Juno then replied : " Do 
not, O goddess Themis, ask me these things ; thou thyself also 

95 knowest how despotic and cruel a soul is his. But preside thou 
over the equal feast, among the gods, in their mansions ; and thou 
shalt hear these things, along with all the immortals, what evil 
deeds 2 Jupiter denounces. Nor do I at all think that he will 
equally give pleasure to the soul of all, either mortals or gods, 
although some feast even now with a light heart." 
100 The august Juno, having thus spoken, then sat down ; and 
the gods were offended 3 throughout the mansion of Jove. And 
she smiled with her lips, although the forehead above her dark 
brows was not cheerful ; and, full of indignation, spake amongst 
them all : 

9 i. e. from thought to thought. l i. e. she flew as quick as thought. 

2 raura — ola xaxa sgya. 3 i. e. at the conduct of Jove. 



ILIAD XV.— V. 105—142. 249 

" We are fools who thus madly 4 are enraged with Jove or still 105 
desire to restrain him, approaching near, either by words or by 
force ; whilst he, sitting apart, cares not, nor regards us : for he 
knows that he is beyond compare the most mighty in strength 
and power among the immortal gods. Wherefore bear ye what- 
ever evil he may send upon each of you ; and now already, I fear 110 
calamity has been levelled at Mars, for his son has perished in 
battle, the dearest to him of mortals, Ascalaphus, whom impetu- 
ous Mars calls his own." 

Thus she spake ; and Mars struck his strong thighs with his 
dropt hands, and grieving, addressed them : 

" Blame me not now, ye possessors of 5 the Olympian abodes, 115 
that I go to the ships of the Achaeans and avenge the slaughter 
of my son, even although it be my fate, struck with the thun- 
derbolt of Jove, to lie together with the dead amidst blood and 
dust." 

Thus he spake, and commanded Terror and Horror to yoke 
his steeds ; and himself girded on his shining armour. Then 120 
indeed would some other more great and severe wrath and 
indignation from Jove have fallen 6 upon the immortals, had not 
Minerva, fearing for all the gods, sprung forth from the vesti- 
bule, and quitted her throne, where she sat. And from his 
head she snatched the helmet, and the shield from his shoulders, 125 
and taking the spear out of his strong hand, stuck it upright ; 
and arrested impetuous Mars with these words : 

" Madman ! fool ! thou art lost : are thine ears in truth use- 
less 7 for hearing, and is thy sense perished 8 , and thy shame ? 
Hearest thou not what the white-armed goddess Juno says, who 130 
has herself just now come from Olympian Jove ? Or dost thou 
wish thyself, after sufferincr many evils, to come back by neces- 
sity to Olympus, though grieving, and to create mighty ills to all 135 
the rest of us ? For he will immediately leave the bold Trojans 
and Achseans, and will come against us, to raise a storm in Olym- 
pus ; and will seize us one after the other, both he who is guilty, 
and he who is not. Wherefore I charge thee now to lay aside 
thy rage on account of thy son, for already have men, even 
superior to him in might and valour 9 either been slain, or there 140 
will hereafter be slain 1 ; and difficult will it be to free from 
death the race and offspring of all men." 

* Without reason. 5 Ye possessing. 

6 Have been. 7 Thus, or in this way. 

8 i. e. sense of shame — the reverence due to Jove. 

9 Better than him in force and hands. 

1 f. e. others, better than he, have perished, and will perish. 



250 ILIAD XV.— V. 143— ISO. 

So saying, she made the impetuous Mars sit upon his throne. 
And Juno summoned from without the house Apollo, and Iris, 

145 who is the messenger between the immortal gods, and, addressing 
them, uttered these winged words : 

" Jove orders you to repair with all haste to Ida ; and when 
ye arrive, and look upon the countenance 2 of Jove, do 3 whatever 
he may charge and command." 

The imperial Juno, having thus spoken, then went back and 

150 sat upon her throne ; and they, hastening, flew, and arrived at 
Ida of many streams, mother of wild beasts. And they found the 
far-sounding son of Saturn sitting upon the summit Gargarus, 
and an odoriferous cloud encircled him round. And, coming 

155 before the cloud-collecting Jove, they stopt ; nor was he, behold- 
ing them, displeased in his mind, that they had obeyed with 
alacrity 4 the words of his wife. And first he addressed Iris in 
winged words : 

"Haste, begone, fleet Iris, deliver all these words to king 

160 Neptune, nor be a false messenger. Command him to relinquish 
the battle and the war, and repair 5 to the companies of gods, or 
to the vast sea. And if he will not be obedient to my words, but 
shall disregard them, let him then reflect within his mind and with- 
in his heart that he is not able, powerful though he be, to sustain 

165 me coming against him ; for I know 6 well that I am superior to 
him in might, and before him by birth ; though his heart fears 
not to profess him equal to me, whom even the rest dread." 

Thus he spake, nor did wind-footed, swift Iris disobey ; but 
descended from the Hasan mountains to sacred Ilium 7 . And as 

170 when snow or cold hail rushes from the clouds by the violence 
of the cloud-dispelling 8 north ; so quickly swift Iris flew along 
with eagerness, and standing near the illustrious Neptune, ad- 
dressed him : 

" Azure-haired shaker of the earth, I have come hither, bring- 

175 ing a certain message to thee from the aegis-bearing Jove. He 
commands thee to relinquish the battle and the war, and repair 
either to the companies of gods, or to the vast sea. And if thou 
wilt not be obedient to his words, but shalt disregard them, he 

180 threatens that he will come hither himself to fight against thee ; 

2 i. e. are in his presence. 

3 S£<5siv — depends not on xsXsto, but on fi.SfAvn]<fo, or something similar — it is 
Juno's own injunction, suggested by her fears, and her own resolution no longer 
to oppose Jove. 4 Quickly. 

5 Relinquishing to repair. 

6 (pYijuu — say> 7 t *. e . to the scene of battle before Troy. 
8 Clearing the atmosphere. 



A. 



ILIAD XV.— V. 181—215. 251 

and he advises thee to avoid his hands, because he declares that 
he is far superior to thee in might, and before thee by birth ; 
though thy heart is not afraid to profess itself equal to him, 
whom even the rest dread." 

And to her the illustrious Neptune, greatly indignant, said : 
u Gods ! powerful as he is, surely he speaks too proudly 9 , if he 185 
by force will restrain me, — who am of equal honour with him- 
self, — against my will. For we are three brothers, sons of 
Saturn, whom Rhea bore — Jupiter, and I, and Pluto, who governs 
the infernal regions, the third : and all things were divided into 
three portions, and each received by lot his authority 1 . ' I indeed, 190 
when the lots were shaken 2 obtained, as mine, to dwell for ever 
in the hoary sea, and Pluto obtained the pitchy darkness; and 
Jove obtained the wide heaven in the air and in the clouds. 
But the earth is still the common property of all, and the lofty 
Olympus. Wherefore I shall not walk 3 at the pleasure of Jove, 
but let him powerful though he be, remain quiet in his third 195 
part ; and let him by no means terrify me, as if I were a coward, 
with his hands. For it would be better for him to address with 
his terrible words the daughters and sons whom he has himself 
begotten, who of necessity will listen to his commands 4 ." 

And to him then the wind-footed, swift Iris replied: "O200 
cerulean-tressed shaker of the earth, shall I really thus bear 
back from thee this fierce and bold speech to Jove ? Or wilt 
thou change it aught ? The minds of the prudent indeed are 
flexible. Thou knowest that the Furies 5 ever wait upon the 
elder." 

And to her, again, the earth-shaking Neptune said : " Iris, 205 
goddess, that speech thou hast very properly spoken 6 ; and it is 
good that a messenger should understand suitable things 7 . But 
it is deep indignation that occupies 8 my heart and soul, when he 
chooses to threaten with angry words me, his equal in authority, 210 
and appointed by the same fate. Indignant however as I now 
am, I will yield. But I will tell thee another thing, and I will 
utter that threat from my soul. If, contrary to my will 9 , and to 
that of Minerva, the plunderer, of Juno, and of Mercury, and of 
king Vulcan, he shall spare the lofty Ilium, and will not destroy 215 

9 Above his weapons — beyond what his authority, or power, entitles him. 

1 i. e. his share of the universe. 2 .iraXwv, or xX?]£wv, understood. 

3 i. e. act — I will not obey. 

4 Will listen even of necessity to him commanding. 

5 j. e. the avengers of all wrongs. 6 That is a very proper speech of thine. 
t i.e. should be prudent. s As if this was habitually the case. 

9 Apart from me, — i. e. in spite of me. 



252 ILIAD XV— V. 216-255. 

it, nor give great victory to the Argives ; let him know this, 
that incurable animosity will exist between us." 

So saying, the shaker of the earth quitted the Achaean army, 
and proceeding, entered the deep ; and the Achaean heroes felt 

220 the loss of him. And then the cloud-collecting Jove addressed 
Apollo : 

" Go now, my beloved Phoebus, to Hector, armed in brass ; for 
already has the earth-encircling Neptune departed to the vast 
sea, avoiding our stern resentment; otherwise 1 those others, 

225 which are infernal gods, being around Saturn, would surely have 
heard our contest. This, however, is much better for me and 
for himself, that he has first yielded, dreading my power 2 , be- 
cause the affair would not have been concluded without toil 3 . 
Take thou then in thine hand the fringed 4 iEgis, and shaking 

230 it much, terrify the Achaean heroes. Of thyself, however, far- 
darter, let the illustrious Hector be the care. Therefore rouse 
up his mighty valour, until the flying Achaeans reach the ships 
and the Hellespont. Then I will myself determine, deed and 

'35 word 5 , how also the Achaeans may breathe again from labour." 
Thus he spake, nor did Apollo disobey his father, but de- 
scended from the Idsean mountains, like to a swift hawk, the 
dove-destroyer, which is the fleetest of birds. He found the son 
of the warlike Priam, the noble Hector, sitting up, and no longer 

240 lying on the ground ; for he had just collected his senses, re- 
cognising his friends about him. And the difficulty of breathing 
and the sweat had ceased, since the will of Jove had roused 
him 6 . Then far-darting Apollo, standing near, addressed him : 
" Hector, son of Priam, why sittest thou in this enfeebled state 

245 apart from the rest ? What trouble has come upon thee ?" 

And to him the helmed Hector, languidly 7 said : " And who 
art thou, best of gods, who askest me in front 8 ? Knowest 9 thou 
not that the gallant Ajax smote me with a stone upon the breast, 

250 and caused me to cease from my vigorous efforts, when slaugh- 
tering his comrades at the sterns of the Achaean ships ? And 
truly I thought that I should this day behold the dead, and the 
abode of Pluto, for I was breathing out my dear life 1 ." 

And to him, in reply, the far-darting king Apollo said : " Be 

255 f g 00 d courage now — so great an assistant has the son of Saturn 

1 For — scil. if he had not, others, &c. 2 Hands. 

3 Without sweat. * Adorned with fringe. 

5 i. e. I shall determine both the measure and its execution. 

6 i. e. from his fainting fit. 7 Scarcely breathing. 

8 i. e. openly — or visibly. 9 Hearest — i. e. knowest thou not by hearing. 

1 i. e. for I was on the point of expiring. 



ILIAD XV.— V. 256—296. 253 

sent forth from Ida to stand by and aid thee — me, Phoebus Apollo 
of the golden sword : who have long defended 2 at once thyself, 
and the lofty city. Come then, exhort now thy numerous 
horsemen to drive their fleet horses towards the hollow ships ; 260 
and I, going before, will smooth the whole way for the horses, 
and put to rout the Achasan heroes." 

So saying, he breathed immense strength into the shepherd 
of the people. And 3 as when some stabled horse, fed at the 
stall, snapping his halter, scours over the plain, beating the 
earth with his feet— accustomed to wash himself in the fair- 265 
flowing river — exulting, and he holds his head on high, and 
round his shoulders his mane wantons 4 : and, trusting in his 
beauty, his knees easily bear him to the haunts and pasture of 
the mares : so Hector lightly moved his feet and knees, encour- 
aging the horsemen, after he had heard the voice of the god. 270 
And the Danaans — as dogs and rustics hunt either a horned 
stag or wild goat, which a lofty rock and thick forest protect, 
nor is it destined for them to catch it ; but at their shouting a 
bearded lion appears in the way, and speedily turns them all 275 
back, although keenly pursuing — so the Danaans, till then in 
troops, ever followed, striking with their swords and double- 
pointed spears. For when they beheld Hector, entering the 
ranks of heroes, they were troubled, and the courage of all fell 
to the ground 5 . 280 

And then Thoas, the son of Andrcemon, harangued them — a 
man by far the bravest of the iEtolians, skilful in the use of 
the missile weapon, and gallant in standing fighf ; and few of 
the Achseans excelled him in the assembly, when the nobles 
contended in debate 7 . He harangued them with prudence, and 285 
said : 

" Ye gods, what a mighty miracle see I with my eyes ; Hec- 
tor has thus risen up again, escaping death. Surely every-body 8 
thought he had died by the hands of Telamonian Ajax. But 
one of the gods has again rescued and preserved Hector — he 290 
indeed who loosened the knees of many Achseans under them ; 
as now also will I think be again the case ; for not without 
high-thundering Jove stands he, thus vigorous, in the van. 
Come then, let us all be persuaded to do as I shall advise. Let 295 
us command the multitude to retire towards the ships ; and let 

2 Who before, or of old, defend — like the Latin dudum with a present tense. 

3 Z. 506 — 51 1. 4 Is moved — waves. 

6 At their feet to all. 6 i. e. in close fight. 

7 <zegi |xy0wv — about words — matters of debate — i. e. whose advice should be 
adopted. 8 The mind of each. 



254 ILIAD XV— V. 296—338. 

ourselves, as many as boast to be the noblest in the army, stand, 
in order that we, opposing, may first check him, lifting up our 
spears ; and I think that, although raging in spirit, he will fear 
to enter into the lines of the Danaans." 

300 Thus he spake ; and they listened to him readily, and obeyed. 
Accordingly Ajax 9 , and king Idomeneus, Teucer, and Meriones, 
and Meges, equal to Mars, calling upon the chiefs, marshalled 

305 their battle against Hector and the Trojans ; and in their rear 
the multitude retreated to the ships of the Acha?ans. And the 
crowding Trojans pushed 1 forward; and Hector, with long 
strides, led them on ; and Phoebus Apollo advanced before him, 
having his shoulders wrapt in a cloud 2 , and held the mighty, 

310 terrific, fringed, dazzling iEgis, that which Vulcan the artist had 
given to Jove, to be borne along for the terror of men. Holding 
this in his hands then, he led the troops. But the Argives re- 
mained collected, and a loud cry arose on both sides. And 
arrows leaped from the strings, and many spears from gallant 

315 hands, some of which were fixed in the body of warlike youths, 
and many likewise mid-way, before they had touched their 
fair skins, stuck in the earth, though eager to glut themselves 
with a body. And as long as Phoebus Apollo held the iEgis 
steady in his hands, so long much did the weapons of both par- 

320 ties reach their mark, and the people fell. But when, looking 
full in the faces of the Danaans, possessed of fleet horses, he 
shook it, and himself, besides, shouted very loudly, he quelled 3 
the courage within their breasts, and they forgot their vigorous 
force 4 . And as two wild beasts, in the stillness of the dark 

325 night, rout a drove of oxen, or a large flock of sheep, coming 
suddenly upon them, the keeper not being present ; so were the 
enfeebled Achseans routed : for Apollo sent fear amongst them, 
and gave glory to the Trojans and Hector. And then man slew 

330 man, the battle having become dispersed 5 . Hector slew Stichius 
and Arcesilaus — one the leader of the brazen-mailed Boeotians, 
and the other the faithful comrade of brave Menestheus. And 
.Eneas slew Medon and Iasus— Medon 6 was the illegitimate son 
of the godlike Oileus, and the brother of Ajax ; and dwelt in 

335 Phylace, far from his native land, having killed a man, the 
brother of his step-mother Eriopis, whom Oileus had to wife ; 
and Iasus, again, was the leader of the Athenians, and was called 
the son of Siphelus, the son of Bucolus. And Polydamas slew 

o Those round Ajax, &c. ! Struck forward. 

2 Clothed as to his shoulders in a cloud. 

3 Softened, assuaged. 4 »'. e. they no longer exerted it. 
» i. e. by the lines being broken. 6 N. 694 — 697. 



ILIAD XV.— V. 340—379. 255 

Mecisteus, and Polites Echius, in the front rank, and the noble 340 
Agenor slew Clonius. And Paris wounded Dei'ochus behind at 
the extremity of the shoulder, when flying among the foremost 
combatants ; and drove the brass quite through. 

Whilst they were stripping these of their arms, the Achaeans 
in the mean time, dashing 7 into the dug ditch and palisades, fled 345 
on all sides ; and, from necessity, entered within the rampart. 
And Hector, shouting aloud, exhorted the Trojans to rush upon 
the ships, and to quit the bloody spoils : 

u And whomsoever I shall observe on the other side apart 
from the ships 8 , there I will cause his death ; nor shall his bro- 
thers and sisters supply him, when dead, with a funeral pile 9 , 350 
but the dogs shall tear him before our city." 

So saying, he impelled forward his horses with the lash upon 
their shoulders, animating the Trojans, against the ranks ; and 
all, shouting along with him, drove their car-dragging steeds 
with a mighty clamour. And in front of them, Phcebus Apollo, 
easily throwing down the banks of the deep ditch with his feet, 355 
cast the earth into the middle: and bridged a road long and 
wide, as far as is the cast of a spear 1 , when a man, making trial 
of his strength, hurls it. There they poured forward in troops, 360 
and Apollo before them, holding the precious iEgis. And he 
threw down the rampart of the Acha?ans very easily, as a boy 
does the sand by the sea ; who, when in sport he builds houses, 
again overturns them with his feet and hands, in wantonness. 
Thus, O Phoebus, the healer, didst thou destroy the great labour 365 
and toil of the Argives, and didst send rout among themselves. 

In this manner were they driven back, stopping at the ships ; 
and exhorting each other, and lifting up their hands to all the 
gods, they loudly made vows each of them. And Gerenian 
Nestor, particularly the guardian of the Achaeans, prayed, stretch- 370 
ing out his hands to the starry heaven : 

" O father Jove, if ever any one in Argos, rich in grain, while 
burning to thee the fat legs either of ox or sheep, prayed .that 
he might return, and thou didst promise and pledge it ; be 
mindful of these things, O Olympian, and repel the fatal day : 375 
nor suffer thus Achaeans to be subdued by Trojans." 

Thus he spake, praying: and wise Jove thundered aloud, 
hearing the supplications of the Neleian old man. But the 
Trojans, as if they understood the mind of asgis-bearing Jove, 



7 As unable from their numbers to get within the rampart by the gate. 

3 i. e. whomsoever I find to have lurked on this side of the rampart. 

9 Allot hiri a pyre. > 'Ine length of a spear's cast. 



256 ILIAD XV.— V. 380-420. 

380 rushed still more upon the Argives, and were mindful of battle 2 . 
And they, as a vast billow of the wide sea ascends over the sides 
of a ship, when the force of the wind urges it — for it (the force 
of the wind) swells the waves very greatly ; so the Trojans with 

385 a mighty shout mounted over the wall. And driving in their 
horses, they fought at the sterns hand to hand with double- 
pointed spears, these from their cars, and the others on high 
from the black ships, ascending them, with long poles which lay 
in ships, adapted for sea-engagements, compact and tipped with 

390 brass 3 . 

And Patroclus, as long as the Achasans and Trojans fought 
round the rampart 4 , outside the swift ships, sat in the tent of 
valour-loving Eurypylus, and soothed him with his conversation ; 
and sprinkled upon the sad wound medicines, the assuagers of 

395 dire 5 pains. But when he perceived the Trojans rushing within 
the rampart, and there was a cry and a rout of the Danaans, 
then indeed he groaned, and struck both his thighs with his 
dropped hands ; and, lamenting, uttered this speech : 

" I cannot any longer, Eurypylus, sit here beside thee, much 

400 as thou art in want of me, for now a mighty contest has arisen. 
But let thy attendant soothe thee ; and I will hasten to Achilles, 
that I may urge him to fight. And who knows whether, with 
God's help 6 , 1 may move his soul, admonishing him ? The ad- 
monition of a comrade is good 7 ." 

405 Him, after thus speaking, his feet bore away. Meanwhile the 
Achseans firmly awaited the Trojans coming against them, but 
were unable to repel them, though they were the fewer, from 
the ships : nor could the Trojans ever, breaking through the 
columns of the Danaans, reach the tents or the ships. But as 

410 a line in the hands of a skilful mechanic, — one who is well in- 
structed in all his art by the precepts of Minerva, — marks a 
piece of naval timber ; so was their battle and war extended 

415 equally 8 . Others indeed maintained the fight round other ships 9 , 
but Hector pressed on against that of the glorious Ajax. Thus 
these two toiled 1 round one ship, nor were able, the one to drive 
away the other and kindle the ship with fire, nor the other to 
repulse him, for a divinity had brought him near. Then the 

420 illustrious Ajax smote Caletor, the son of Clytius, whilst carry- 

2 i. e. exerted%ll their energies. s 

3 Clothed at the mouth (or point) with brass. 

4 i. e. on the Trojan side of the rampart. s Black. 

e With a Deity. 7 A. 791, 792. 

8 i. e. the troops stood up, as straight as a line. 

9 Near them — but not yet quite at them. ' Had labour. 



ILIAD XV.— V. 421—461. 257 

ing fire to the ship, upon the breast with his spear ; and falling, 
he gave a sound, and the firebrand dropped from his hand. And 
when Hector perceived with his eyes his cousin falling amid the 
dust, in front of the black ship, he exhorted the Trojans and 
Lycians, loudly exclaiming : 

" Ye Trojans, and Lycians, and spear-fighting Dardans, shrink 425 
not now from battle in this narrow pass ; but save the son of 
Clytius, lest the Achasans spoil him of his armour, now that he 
has fallen in the struggle at the ships." 

So saying, he threw with his shining spear at Ajax ; him he 
missed ; but he then smote Lycophron, the son of Mastor the 430 
servant of Ajax, a Cytherean, who dwelt with him, for he had 
slain a man among the noble Cythereans. Him then he struck 
upon the head, above the ear, with his sharp javelin, whilst 
standing near Ajax : and he fell prone to the ground from the 
stern of the ship among the dust, and his limbs were relaxed. 435 
And Ajax shuddered, and addressed his brother : 

"Dear Teucer, slain now is our faithful comrade, the son of 
Mastor; whom, coming amongst us from Cythera, we both hon- 
oured equally with our beloved parents in our halls : for him the 
brave Hector has killed. Where now are thy deadly 2 arrows 440 
and the bow, which Phoebus Apollo gave thee V 

Thus he spake ; and he understood him ; and. running, stood 
near him, holding in his hand his bent bow and arrow-bearing 
quiver; and very speedily sent his weapons among the Trojans. 4^5 
And he wounded Cleitus, the illustrious son of Peisenor, the 
companion of Polydamas, the renowned son of Panthus, as he 
was holding the reins in his hands : and his labour had been 
with the horses : for he drove them there, where the most nu- 
merous phalanxes were in conflict, gratifying Hector and the 
Trojans. But speedily upon him came destruction, which no 450 
one averted from him, eager as they were : for the fatal arrow 
fell upon his neck from behind, and he tumbled from the car, 
and his horses started back, making the empty car rattle. But 
king Polydamas very quickly perceived it, and first came to meet 
his horses. Them he gave to Astynous, the son of Protiaon, 455 
and urged him much to keep the horses near him within si^ht 3 ; 
and himself, advancing again, mingled with the foremost com- 
batants. And Teucer took 4 another arrow for Hector, armed 
in brass, and would have stopped the battle at the ships of ihe 
Achoeans, if, striking him, while fighting bravely 5 , he had taken 460 
away his life. But it escaped not the observant mind of Jove, 

» Bringing death quickly. 3 Looking at them. « i. e. to shoot at Hector. 

• apiC-reuovra — doing his best — or fighting bravely. 

18 



258 ILIAD XV.— V. 462—501. 

who watched over Hector, and he deprived Telamonian Teucer 
of the glory ; for he snapped the well-twisted string upon his 
good bow as he was pulling it against Hector : and the arrow, 

465 heavy with brass, was driven off in another direction, and the 
bow fell from his hand. And Teucer shuddered, and addressed 
his brother : 

"Ye gods, a divinity, without doubt, cuts up the counsels of 
our battle, for he 1 ' has struck the bow from my hand, and snap- 
ped the newly twisted string which I tied on it in the morning, 

470 that it might sustain the arrows, often bounding forth." 

And him answered then the mighty Telamonian Ajax: "Well, 
my friend, let thy bow and numerous arrows lie, since a god has 
rendered them useless 7 , envying the Danaans : and, taking a long 

475 spear in thine hands, and a shield upon thy shoulders, fight 
against the Trojans, and encourage the other troops. Not with- 
out labour at least, victorious as they are, let them take the well- 
benched ships — but let us be mindful of battle." 

Thus he spake : and Teucer laid his bow in the tents. And 
then he placed around his shoulders a four-fold shield, and fixed 

480 upon his gallant head a well-made helmet, crested with horse- 
hair, and the crest nodded awfully from above. And he seized 
a tough spear, pointed with sharp brass, and hastened to advance, 
and, running very quickly, stood beside Ajax. 

And when Hector perceived Teucer's arrows rendered useless, 

485 he animated the Trojans and Lycians, shouting aloud: 

" Ye Trojans, and Lycians, and spear-fighting Dardans, be 
men, my friends, and be mindful 8 of your best force at the hollow 
ships; for I have already seen with my eyes the arrows of their 

490 bravest warrior rendered useless by Jove. And easily is the 
power of Jove perceivable among men, both among those to 
whom he gives 9 superior glory, and those whom he enfeebles, and 
desires not to defend. So now does he weaken the strength of 
the Argives, and assists us. Fight then in close order at the 

495 ships, and whosoever of you, wounded from afar or smitten hand 
to hand, meets with death and destiny, let him die : it will not 
be inglorious for himself to die fighting for his country — for his 
wife will be safe, and his children, behind him, and his house 
and patrimony uninjured, should the Achaeans depart with their 
ships to their own native land." 
500 So saying, he roused the strength and courage of each : and 
Ajax, on the other side, animated his comrades: 



6 o TS. 7 Has poured them together. — i. e. broken. 

8 i. e, exert if. 9 Put into their hands. 



ILIAD XV.— Y. 502—541. 259 

" For shame, Argives ! now is the time 1 either to perish, or 
he saved and repel destruction from the ships 2 . What, hope 
ye, if the plumed Hector capture the ships, each to arrive on 
foot at his native land ? or hear ye not Hector, who now longs 505 
to fire the ships, exhorting all his people ? He is bidding them 
not to come to a dance, but to fight. And for us there is no 
thought or plan better than this, to mingle in close quarters our 510 
hands and valour. It is better either to die at once or live 3 — 
rather than thus for no purpose to perish, drop by drop, in dire . 
combat beside the ships, under men weaker than our selves:" 1 

So saying, he stirred up the strength and courage of each. 
Then Hector slew Schedius, the son of Perimedes, prince of the 515 
Phoceans ; and Ajax slew Laodamas, a commander of infantry, 
the noble son of Anterior. And Polydamas slew the Cyllenian 
Otus, the comrade of the son of Phyleus, the chief of the brave 
Epeians. And upon him Meges, perceiving it, rushed : but 520 
Polydamas stooped 4 , and he missed him ; for Apollo suffered not 
the son of Panthus to be subdued among the foremost comba- 
tants. And he wounded the middle of Croesmus' breast with his 
spear, and, falling, he gave a sound ; and Meges stripped the 
armour from his shoulders. Meanwhile Dolops, son of Lampus, 
well skilled in the use of the spear, sprang upon him — he, well 525 
acquainted with active fight 5 , whom Lampus, the son of Laome- 
don, the must excellent of men, begot— who then attacking him 
from near at hand, smote the middle of the son of Phyleus' shield 
with his spear: but the thick corselet, which he wore, compact 530 
in its cavities, defended him — that which Phyleus once brought 
from Ephyre, from the river Selleeis. For Euphetes, king of 
men, his host, had given it to him, to wear in battle as a defence 
against his enemies; and it then warded off destruction from the 
body of his son. Of his brazen helmet then Meges struck with 535 
his sharp spear the extreme cone, rough with horse-hair, and 
cut off his horse-hair crest ; and it, newly glittering with purple, 
all fell to the ground in the dust. Meanwhile he (Me^es) xq- 
mzmmg firm, fought with the other (Dolops), and still'hoped 
for victory, and the warlike Menelaus, came as an assistant to 540 
him (Meges) : and he stood with a spear, unobserved, on Dolops' 

i aPxjov — i. e . to ccpxouv, that which is sufficient — the right or proper moment 
to act decisively — the crisis. 

2 i. e. to perish is one alternative — to be saved, i. e. to conquer, and repel ruin 
from the ships, is the other. 

3 i. e. to conquer. < L e. he threw himself forward. 

5 i. e. very capable of great exertions — or one who well knew how to employ 
his strength with efficacy. 



260 ILIAD XV.— Y. 542—577. 

flank, and wounded him from behind on the shoulder ; and the 
spear, driven with violence, passed through his breast, making 
its way onward ; and he fell headlong. Both then rushed upon 

545 him to tear the brazen armour from his shoulders ; and Hector 
strenuously exhorted all his brothers, and chid the gallant Mela- 
nippus, first, the son of Hicetaon 6 . He till then had fed his slow- 
footed oxen at Percota, the enemy being far away ; but when 
the ships of the Danaans, impelled by oars on both sides, had 

550 arrived, he came back to Troy, and distinguished himself among 
the Trojans; and he dwelt with Priam, who honoured him 
equally with his sons. Him then Hector chid, and uttered this 
speech, and addressed him by name : 

" Shall we be thus remiss, O Melanippus ? Is not thy heart 
moved within thee for thy kinsman slain ? Seest thou not how 

555 busy they are about the arms of Dolops ? Follow then ; for it 
is no longer a time to light at a distance with the Argives, but 
rather we must either slay them, or they overturn the lofty 
Ilium, and slaughter its citizens." 

So saying, he led on, and the godlike man followed along with 

560 him. And the mighty Telamonian Ajax animated the Argives: 

" O my friends, be men, and put honour 7 in your hearts, and 

emulate 8 each other in hard battles. While men thus emulate 9 

each other, more are saved than are slain ; but when they run 

away, there is neither glory, nor safety 1 /' 

565 Thus he spake, and they themselves also burned to repulse 
the foe. And they laid up his advice in their mind, and fortified 
the ships with a brazen rampart 2 ; for Jove urged on the Tro- 
jans. And the gallant Menelaus excited Antilochus : 

" Antilochus, no other of the Achaeans is younger than thou, 

570 nor swifter of foot — nor strong as thou for fighting. Try if 

thou canst spring forward and smite some hero of the Trojans 3 ." 

. So saying, he retired again ; but that excited the other. And 

Antilochus sprang from among the foremost combatants, and 

hurled his shining spear, after gazing around him ; and the Tro- 

^75 jans full back from the hurling hero. And he sent not his wea- 
pon in vain, but struck upon the breast near the pap, Melanip- 
pus, the brave son of Hicetaon, now going into battle. And, 

« A brother of Priam, T. 238. 

7 i. e. think of the disgrace of being conquered — E. 529 — 532. 

8 Or, shame each other to exertion. 

9 a»(5ofjisvwv — psuyovTwv — both genitives absolute. 
1 Strength — help — i. e. in and for themselves. 

9 i. e. they stood in a line in their brazen armour. 
9 Or, I wish thou wouldst, &c. — or, if thou, &c. do; 



ILIAD XV.— V. 5^9—622. 261 

falling, he made a crash, and his arms rattled upon him. Then 
Antilochus sprang upon him, like a dog which rushes upon a 580 
wounded fawn, which the huntsman throwing at, has wounded, 
when leaping from its lair, and loosened its limbs under it. So 
upon thee, O Melanippus, sprang stout Antilochus, to strip off 
thine armour ; but he was not unseen by noble Hector, who came 
against him, running through the battle. And Antilochus, 
though a gallant warrior, awaited him not, but fled, like a mis- 585 
chievous wild beast, which having killed a dog or man in charge 
of 4 oxen, flies, before a crowd of men be collected : so fled the son 
of Nestor ; and the Trojans and Hector, with mighty clamour, 590 
poured their woeful weapons after him. And when he came to 
the column of his comrades, wheeling round, he stopt. 

Meanwhile the Trojans rushed upon the ships like carnivo- 
rous lions, and fulfilled the mandates 5 of Jove ; for he ever ex- 
cited their great strength, and damped the courage of the 
Argives, and deprived them of glory ; and he animated their 595 
foes. For his soul desired to bestow glory upon Hector, the son 
of Priam, that he might cast the fiercely-burning, unwearied 
fire upon the curved ships ; and accomplish all the unjust prayer 
of Thetis. For this the counsellor Jove awaited 6 , to behold with 600 
his eyes the flame of a burning vessel ; for from that time he 
was going to make the Trojans 7 retreat from the ships, and to 
bestow glory upon the Danaans. Designing these things, he 
animated Hector, son of Priam, although very eager himself 
also, at the hollow ships. And he raged, as when Mars, bran- 605 
disher of the spear, or a destructive fire rages among the moun- 
tains, in the recesses of a deep forest. And there was foam 
about his mouth, and his eyes glared from beneath his stern 
brows; and the casque waved awfully upon the temples of 
Hector while fighting ; for Jupiter himself from the aether was 610 
his assistant, and honoured and glorified him alone among the 
multitude of men ; because he was destined to be of a short life : 
for already was Pallas Minerva impelling towards him the. fatal 
day, under the might of Achilles. And Hector desired to break 615 
the ranks of warriors, making the attempt wherever he beheld 
the greatest throng and the best weapons. But not thus was 
he able to break, although very eager ; for they, collected in 
squares 8 , sustained him, like a rock lofty and large, being near 
the hoary deep, which abides the furious inroads of the loud 620 
winds, and vast billows which break over it. Thus the Da- 
naans firmly awaited the Trojans, nor fled. But he, resplendent 

4 Around. 5 og. s As the limit of the disasters of the Achaeans. 

" To make a retreat of, &c. 8 In solid bodies, like towers, 



262 ILIAD XV— V. 624—659. 

with fire 9 , on all sides, charged the throng ; and fell upon them, 

625 as when an impetuous wave, raised by the wind from the clouds, 
dashes upon a swift ship, and it is all covered with the spray, and 
a terrible blast of wind roars in its sail : and the sailors tremble 
in their hearts, frightened, for they are borne 1 but a little way 
from death : so harassed were the hearts of the Achseans within 

630 their breasts. And he, like a destroying lion rushing upon 
cows, which feed in the moist ground of a spacious meadow in 
great numbers 2 , and among them is a keeper yet incapable of 3 
fighting with a wild beast, to prevent the slaughter 4 of a crum- 

635 pie-horned cow — he indeed always walks along with the fore- 
most or hindmost cows, and the lion, springing in the midst, de- 
vours a cow, and all the rest fly in terror ; — so then the Achseans 
were put to the rout, panic-struck, by Hector and father Jove, 
all — but Hector slew only the Mycenaean Periphetes, the beloved 

640 son of Copreus, who once went with a message of king Eurys- 
theus to the mighty Hercules. From this far inferior father 
sprang a son superior in all kinds of excellence, in speed and in 
combat; and for intelligence was among the first of the Myce- 

^45 naeans. He then afforded higher glory to Hector. For, turning 
backwards, he kicked against the rim of the shield which he bore 
— a defence reaching to his feet against javelins — caught by 
which he fell flat, and the helmet sounded terribly around the 
temples of the falling man. And Hector quickly marked, and, 

650 running, stood near him, and plunged his spear in his bosom, and 
slew him near his beloved comrades ; and they were unable, 
although grieved for their comrade, to be of service to him, for 
they themselves greatly feared the noble Hector. And they 
retired within the lines of their ships 5 , and the outermost 6 ships 
covered them, which were dragged up first ; and the enemy still 

' } ^5 rushed forward. The Argives, therefore, from necessity, re- 
treated from the foremost vessels, and remained there beside the 
tents in close order, and were not scattered through the camp : 
for shame and fear restrained them ; and unceasingly they ex- 
horted one another with shouting. And Gerenian Nestor, the 



9 i. e. with the splendours of his armour. 

1 i. e. in the ship — they are in extreme peril. 2 Ten thousand. 

3 Not yet thoroughly knowing — i. e. who had jiot yet the necessary experience 
— a young herdsman. 

4 For the slaughter — i. e. to prevent it — possibly for the possession of the body. 

5 There were two lines, at least — one near the rampart, the other near the sea. 
The Achseans had now so far retreated as to be between these lines. . 

6 i. e. nearest the rampart. 



ILIAD XV.- V. 660—700. 263 

guardian of the Achseans, particularly adjured them by their 660 
parents, falling at the knees of each man : 

" O my friends, be men, and put into your minds respect for 
other men 7 . Recall to your memory, each of you, your children, 
your wives, and possessions, and parents, as well ye whose pa- 
rents live, as ye whose parents are dead 8 . For the sake of those, 665 
not present, I here entreat you bravely to stand, nor be turned 
to flight/' 

So saying, he roused the valour and courage of each. And 
Minerva dispelled for them the heaven-sent cloud of darkness 
from their eyes ; and light arose abundantly to them on both 
sides, both towards the ships and towards the destructive battle. 670 
Then beheld they the gallant Hector and his comrades, as well 
those who stood apart in the rear and fought not, as those who 
maintained the light at the swift ships. 

No longer then did it please the heart of the bold Ajax to 675 
stand, where the other sons of the Acheeans stood apart : but he 
went about upon the decks of the vessels with long strides 9 , and 
wielded in his hands a large, polished, naval pike, compact with 
iron spikes, twenty-two cubits long. And as when a man, well 
skilled in horsemanship 1 , who, after he has selected four horses 680 
out of many, driving them from the plain, directs them towards 
a great city along the public road; and many look at him 
with admiration, both men and women ; and he, always leaping 
firmly and safely, changes his seat from one to the other : and 
they fly along ; so Ajax ran along many decks of swift ships, 685 
with loud shouts, and his voice reached to the asther ; and ever 
shouting terribly, he bade the Danaans defend their ships and 
tents. Nor indeed did Hector remain among the crowd of well- 
armed 2 Trojans ; but as a tawny eagle pounces upon a flock of 690 
winged birds, feeding beside a river, of geese, or cranes, or long- 
necked swans ; so Hector directed his course towards a cerulean- 
prowed vessel, rushing at it ; and Jove, with a very mighty 
hand, impelled him from behind, and animated his people along 695 
with him. 

And again was a dire combat waged at the ships. You would 
have said that unlaboured and unexhausted 3 they opposed each 
other in war ; so furiously they fought. And these were the 
thoughts of them fighting — the Achasans indeed supposed that 700 

7 *. e. consider what others will think of you, if you suffer yourselves to be de- 
feated. Compare 561 of this book. 

8 Both he to whom (or, whose) his parents are dead, and he, &c. 

9 Striding along. i xs\r\<n^siv— i. e . to ride. 

2 Thickly corseleted. 3 i. e. as if they were just come fresh into the field. 



264 ILIAD XV.— V. 701—739. 

they could not escape from destruction, but must perish ; and 
among the Trojans, the soul of each within his breast hoped to 
fire the ships, and to slaughter the Achaean heroes. Thinking 
thus they pressed upon one another. 

And Hector seized the stern of a sea-crossing bark, beautiful 
705 and swift, which had brought Protesilaus to Troy, but bore him 
not back again to his native land. Round his ship then the 
Achseans and Trojans now slew one another hand to hand ; nor 
did they wait at a distance the strokes of arrows and of javelins: 
710 but standing close, with one mind, they fought with sharp battle- 
axes and bills, with large swords and double-pointed spears. 
And many beautiful falchions, black-hilted, with large handles, 
fell to the earth, some from the hands, and others from the 
715 shoulders of the combating heroes ; and the ground flowed 
black with blood. And Hector, after he had seized the vessel 
by the stern, let not go his hold, clinging to the tafferel with his 
hands, and encouraged the Trojans : 

" Bring fire, and yourselves together excite ye the battle. 
Now hath Jove given us a day worth all days, the day for taking 
720 the ships, which, coming here, against the will of the gods, have 
brought upon us many disasters through the cowardice of our 
rulers ; who kept me back, when desirous myself to fight at the 
sterns of the ships, and restrained the people. But if indeed 
725 the far-sounding Jove then befooled our senses, he himself now 
impels and urges us on." 

Thus he spake, and then they rushed more than ever upon 
the Argives ; and Ajax could no longer sustain them, for he was 
borne down with weapons ; and, expecting to be killed, he stept 
730 back a little to the seven-feet-wide bench 4 , and quitted the deck 
of his equal ship 5 . There he stood watching, and ever with his 
spear repulsed the Trojans from the ships, whoever brought in- 
satiable fire ; and always shouting dreadfully, animated the Da- 
naans : 

" O my friends, Danaan heroes, servants of Mars, be men, my 
friends, and be mindful of your best exertions. Think we, that 
735 we h ave anv supporters in the rear ? or any better rampart 
to ward oif destruction from our men ? No town is there at 
hand, fortified with towers, where we may be defended, having 
a relieving force 6 ; but on the plain of the strong-mailed Tro- 

4 *. e. to the centre of the ship — for the deck did not extend over the'whole — 
only over the forecastle and the poop. 

5 Here he was less exposed — half his person was covered by the side of the 



6 foepa.'h'KSa — having other strength, or, employing its strength in turn with ur 



ILIAD XV.—V. 740-746. 265 

jams, resting on the sea 7 , sit we far from our native land : there- 740 
fore safety is in our exertions 8 , and not in remission of battle." 
He said, and, furious, charged with his sharp spear. And 
whichever of the Trojans rushed 9 towards*the hollow ships with 
blazing fire, for the sake of Hector, who excited them, — him 
Ajax wounded, awaiting him, with his sharp spear i and he 745 
smote twelve hand to hand in front of the ships." 

7 i. e. with our camp on the shore. 8 Light is in our hands. 

9 Was borne, or bore himself. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMEB 



BOOK XVI. 



ARGUMENT. 

Ajax, at length overpowered, and having broken his spear, gives way when his 
ship is immediately set fire to. Achilles grants permission to Patroclus to join 
the battle in his (Achilles) armour, but with strict injunctions to do no more 
than defend the fleet. The Trojans are repulsed, and followed with impetuosity 
into the plain, where Patroclus slays Sarpedon, and is himself slain by Hector? 
after Euphorbus had wounded him, and Apollo stripped him of his armour. 

Thus then were they fighting for the well-benched ship. But 
Patroclus stood beside Achilles, shepherd of people, shedding 
hot tears, like a black-water fountain, which pours down its dark 
stream from a lofty rock. And him, the swift-footed noble 
5 Achilles pitied, beholding, and, addressing him, spake* these 
winged words : 

"Why weepest thou, Patroclus? As an infant girl, who 
running along with her mother, presses to be taken up in her 
arms, catching hold of her robe, and detaining her, though in 

10 haste ; and weeping, looks towards her mother till she is taken 
up — like to her, O Patroclus, dost thou shed the tender tear. 
Art thou going to announce aught to the Myrmidons, or to my- 
self? Or hast thou alone heard any news from Phthia ? They 
say that Menoetius, the son of Actor 1 , still lives ; and Peleus, the 

15 son of JEacus, lives among his Myrmidons ; for both of whom, 
if dead, we might deeply grieve. Or dost thou mourn for the 
Argives, that they are perishing beside their hollow ships, on 
account of their iniquity to me ? Speak out, hide it not in thy 
mind, that we both may know." 

20 And to him, heavily sighing, thou, noble 2 Patroclus, didst say : 

1 Father of Patroclus. 2 Equestrian. 



ILIAD XVI.— V. 21—62. 267 

" O Achilles, son of Peleus, by far the bravest of the Aehseans, 
be not offended ; for a grief so great oppresses the Acha?ans : 
for now all, as many as were formerly most valiant, lie in the 
ships, wounded from afar, or smitten in close quarters. Brave 
Diomedes, the son of Tydeus, is wounded, and spear-skilled Ulys- 25 
ses smitten, and Agamemnon ; and Eurypylus also is wounded 
in the thigh with an arrow. About these indeed are the doctors, 
men of many remedies, busied, dressing their wounds ; but thou, 
Achilles, art inexorable. Never me at least may that resent- 30 
ment seize, which thou preservest. Disastrous valour ! what, is 
some other later-born to be benefitted by thee, that thou wilt 
not ward off foul ruin from the Argives ? Man without pity ! 
noble Peleus was not thy father, nor Thetis thy mqther ; but 35 
the azure sea produced thee, and lofty rocks, for thy heart is 
insensible 3 . But, if within thy breast thou shunnest any oracle, 
and thy venerable mother has communicated any to thee from 
Jove, send me at least forthwith, and along with me give them 
the rest of the army of the Myrmidons, that if possible I may 
be some aid 4 to the Danaans. Grant me also to put thy armour 40 
on my shoulders, that the Trojans, taking me for thee, may desist 
from battle, and the warlike sons of the Achasans exhausted, 
respire ; and there be a short respite to the war. For we who 
are fresh shall easily repulse from the ships and tents towards 45 
the city, men worn down with battle." 

Thus supplicating, he spake — very foolish, for indeed it was 
to supplicate for himself sad death and fate. And to him the 
swift-footed Achilles, groaning deeply, said : 

" Alas ! most noble Patroclus, what hast thou said ? Neither 
am I regarding any oracle, which I know, nor has my divine 50 
mother communicated aught to me from Jove. But that intol- 
erable insult 5 goes to my heart and soul — when a man chooses 
to deprive his equal 6 of his portion and to take back his reward, 
because he surpasses him in power. That insult is intolerable 55 
to me. For I have suffered tortures from it in my soul, that the 
maid, whom the sons of the Achaaans selected as a reward for 
me, gained by my own spear, laying waste a well-walled city — 
her has king Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, taken back out of 
my hands, as if I were some dishonorable fugitive. But let us 60 
dismiss the past 7 ; nor is it allowable to be eternally enraged in 
one's breast. Certainly I did say that I would not lay aside my 

3 See the same lines, A. 793—802. * Light. 

5 For tt^og here expresses the source of grief. 

6 Not in power, but dignity. 

7 But as to what things occurred before — we will leave them. 



St 



268 ILIAD X VL— V. 64—104 

resentment before 8 the shout and the battle had reached my 

65 ships. Do thou therefore, put on upon thy shoulders my famous 
armour, and lead the war-loving Myrmidons to battle ; since at 
last a black cloud of Trojans has with force enveloped the ships ; 
and the Argives are shut up by the shore of the sea, possessing 

TO now but a small spot of land. Moreover, the whole city of the 
Trojans has come forth full of confidence, because they behold 
not the front of my helmet glittering near ; although, speedily 
flying, they would have filled the trenches with their bodies, if 
king Agamemnon had been just towards me 9 : and now they 

75 combat around our very camp 1 . For no longer rages the spears 
in the hands of Diomedes, son of Tydeus, to repel ruin from the 
Danaans ; .nor do I any longer hear the voice of Agamemnon 
shouting, from his detested head. But that of man-slaying 
Hector, animating the Trojans, echoes around ; and they with a 

80 shout possess the whole plain, conquering the Achaeans in battle. 
Yet even thus, Patroclus, fall upon them bravely, warding off 
destruction from the ships, lest at last they consume the vessels 
with glowing fire, and cut off our loved return. Still be per- 
suaded to do as I shall put the sum of my discourse in thy mind, 
in order that thou may est obtain for me great honour and glory 

85 from all the Danaans ; and they may bring back to me the beau- 
tiful maid, and give me moreover rich presents. Having driven 
the enemy from the ships, come back again ; and if the high- 
thundering husband of Juno, besides, grant thee to obtain glory. 

90 be thou not desirous without me, to fight with the war-loving 
Trojans; otherwise 2 thou wilt render me more dishonored. 
Nor, exulting in the battle and shout, lead on as far as Ilium, 
slaughtering the Trojans, lest some of the everlasting gods come 
down from Olympus ; for the far-darting Apollo dearly loves 

95 them. But turn back after thou hast given safety to the fleet 3 ; 
and let the rest wage the battle along the plain. Oh ! father 
Jove, and Minerva, and Apollo ! that none of the Trojans, as 
many as there are, might escape death, nor one of the Argives : 
100 but that thou and I, escaping, might remain ; that we alone 
might pull down the sacred walls of Troy." 

Thus they such words to each other spoke. But 4 Ajax no 
longer remained firm, for he was overwhelmed with weapons. 
The counsel of Jove overpowers him, and the fierce Trojans, 
hurling at him. And his glittering casque round his temples, 

8 Before — but when. 9 If he had known just tilings to me. 

1 Around the army — i. e. at their stations — the camp. 

2 6s. 3 After thou hast placed a light among the ships. 
4 The poet resumes from O. 727. 



ILIAD XVL— V. 105—145. 269 

struck with weapons, emitted a terrible sound, and the well- 105 
made cones of his helmet were incessantly struck. And he was 
wearied in his left shoulder, by always firmly holding his agile 
shield ; yet were they unable, pressing him with their weapons 
all around, to move him. All the while he was oppressed with 
severe panting 5 , and much sweat poured every where from his 110 
limbs, nor was he at all able to respire ; for on every side evil 
was heaped upon evil. 

Tell me now, ye Muses, possessing Olympian abodes, how 
first the fire fell upon the ships of the Achseans. 

Hector, standing near, struck the ashen spear of Ajax with 
his huge sword, just above the junction of the point, and cut it 115 
quite through. That lopped spear Telamonian Ajax brandished 
in his hand in vain ; and, far from him, the brazen point rang, 
falling upon the earth. Then Ajax recognized in his honest 
soul, and shuddered at, the deeds of the gods ; for high-thun- 
dering Jove cut up entirely his plans of war, and designed 120 
glory for the Trojans. And he retired from the weapons ; and 
they cast the indomitable fire into the swift ship, and instantly 
the inextinguishable flame of it poured along. Thus the fire 
curled round the stern; and Achilles, striking his thighs, ad- 125 
dressed Patroclus : 

" Up noble Patroclus, manager of horses — I perceive the fury 
of the hostile fire already at the ships — lest they now take the 
ships and there be no longer the means of escaping ; put on 
thine armour quickly, and I will assemble the host." 

Thus he spake ; and Patroclus armed himself in glittering 130 
brass. First round his legs he put the beautiful greaves, fas- 
tened with silver clasps ; next he braced the corslet of the swift- 
footed grandson of iEacus upon his breast, variegated and 
adorned with stars; and then threw round his shoulders his 
silver-hilted brazen sword ; and afterwards the large and thick 135 
shield. Upon his gallant head he placed the well-formed hel- 
met, crested with horse-hair, and the crest nodded terribly from 
above. He seized besides strong spears which fitted his hands, 
and took not the unique spear of the illustrious descendant of 140 
iEacus, ponderous, large, and thick ; which indeed no other of 
the Aclueans could wield 6 ; but Achilles alone knew how to 
wield it — a Pelion ash, which Cheiron gave to his (Achilles') 
father, cut from the top of mount Pelion, to be death to heroes. 
And he bade Automedon quickly yoke the horses — him whom 14' 
next to Achilles, the breaker of the ranks of heroes, he most 



* i. e. he waa out of breath with his exertions. r > Shake. 



270 ILIAD XVI.— V. 147—185. 

honoured ; for 7 he was most faithful to him in battle, awaiting 
his directions. Therefore also Automedon led under the yoke 
the fleet horses, Xanthus and Balius, which vied with the winds 

150 in speed 8 . Them the Harpian Podarge, while feeding in the 
pasture by the stream of Oceanus. bore to the wind, Zephyrus. 
And in the outer harness he fastened the noble Peclasus, the 
horse which Achilles, after taking Eetion's town, brought away ; 
and which, though mortal, accompanied immortal horses. And 

155 Achilles, going up and down, made all the Myrmidons through- 
out the tents put on their armour ; and, they, — like carnivorous 
wolves, in whose breast there is immense force, and which, 
having slain a large horned stag in the mountains devour it and 

160 the jaws of all are red with blood ; and then they rushed in a 
pack, lapping with slender tongues the surface of the dark 
water from a deep fountain, vomiting 9 gore of blood ; and their 
courage is intrepid in their breasts, and their paunch is dis- 
tended: — such rushed the leaders and chiefs of the Myrmidons 

165 round the brave comrade of the swift-footed descendant of 
.ZEacus : and amongst them stood the warlike Achilles, animating 
both the steeds and the shielded warriors 3 . 

Fifty were the swift galleys, in which Achilles, beloved of 

170 Jove, brought his troops to Troy, and in each were fifty men, 
comrades at the benches. Five leaders moreover had he ap- 
pointed, in whom he trusted, to direct them : whilst himself 
ruled, commanding in chief. One troop Menestheus of the va- 
riegated corslet led, the son of Spercheius, a river flowing 2 from 
Jove ; whom the daughter of Peleus, the fair Polydora, bore to 

W° the unwearied Spercheius — a woman embraced by a god ; al- 
though, according to report 3 , it was to Borus, the son of Perieres, 
who had publicly espoused her, giving invaluable marriage pre- 
sents. And the second, the warlike Eudorus commanded, of 

180 illegitimate birth 4 , whom Polymela, the daughter of Phylas, 
graceful in the dance, bore. With her the powerful Mercury 5 
fell in love, seeing her with his eyes, among the revellers, at a 
dance of the golden-bowed Diana, who delights in the halloo of 
the chace ; and immediately ascending to an upper chamber. 

t$5 the Acacesian 6 Mercury secretly lay with her : and she bore to 

i 8s — for — it introduces the reason for Achilles' regard. And so in a multi- 
tude of cases. 8 Which flew along with the winds. 
9 i. e. the gore running, or dripping from their mouths. 

1 i. e. both horse and foot. 

2 i. e. as rains come from the sky. 3 S^xkr^iv — nominally. 

4 ira^svios — *. e. the son of an unmarried lady. 

5 Slayer of Argus. 6 From Acacae, a mountain of Arcadia. 



ILIAD XVI.— V. 186—227. 271 

him a noble son, Eudorus, distinguished for speed in the race 7 , 
and as a warrior. But after that Eileithyia, who presides over 
births, had brought him into the light, and he beheld the rays of 
the sun, the migHy Echecleus 8 , son of Actor, took her home, 
after he had given innumerable marriage presents 9 ; and the 190 
aged Phylas carefully nursed and brought up the boy, affection- 
ately loving him, as if he were 1 his own son. And the third the 
warlike Pisander led, the son of Msemalus, who, next to the 
companion of the son of Peleus, surpassed all the Myrmidons in 195 
lighting with the spear. And the fourth the aged chief Phoenix 
commanded. And the fifth. Alcimedon, the noble son of Lae'rces. 
And when Achilles, marshalling them properly, had posted all, 
along with their leaders, he gave to them this gallant order : 

"Ye Myrmidons, let none of you be forgetful of the threats 200 
with which, at the swift ships, ye have been threatening the 
Trojans, during the whole of my indignation, and thus blamed 
me, each of you : ' O cruel son of Peleus ! thy mother surely fed 
thee with gall; relentless man! who detamest thy comrades 
against their will at the ships. Home let us return again in 205 
our sea-crossing barks, since this miserable rage has thus fallen 
upon thy soul.' These things, assembled, ye frequently utter ; 
and now the mighty work of war appears, of which ye have 
been all along 2 desirous. There let each one, who has a brave 
heart, fight against the Trojans." 

So saying, he roused the valour and courage of each, and their 210 
ranks were more closed when they heard the king. And as 
when a man constructs the wall of a lofty mansion with stones 
closely joined, guarding against the violence of the winds ; so 
joined were their helmets and bossed shields ; and shield sup- 
ported shield, helmet helmet, and man man : and the horse-hair 215 
plumes upon the shining cones of them, waving, touched each 
other : so closely stood they one to another. Before them all 
stood armed 3 two warriors, Patroclus and Automedon, and with 
one mind, to fight in front of the Myrmidons. And Achilles 220 
hastened to his tent ; and took off the cover of a chest, beautiful, 
variously adorned, which silver-footed Thetis had put on board 
for him, to be taken in his ship, having filled it well with tunics, 
and wind-repelling cloaks, and soft carpets. And in it was a 225 
curiously-wrought cup, and neither did any other man 4 drink 
dark wine from it, nor did he pour out libations from it to any 

7 Swift above others to run. s The great vigour of Echecleus. 

9 i. e. to her father. ' As being. 

2 <ro Tpiv ys — ». e. ever since my quarrel with Agamemnon. 

3 Were armed. * Nor did any other neither of men. 



272 ILIAD XVI— V. 228—265. 

of the gods, except to father Jove. This then taking from the 
chest, he first purified with sulphur, and then washed it with 

230 pure streams of water ; and he washed his own hands, and 
drew the dark wine. Then, standing in the middle of the area, 
he prayed, and offered a libation of wine, looking up to heaven ; 
and he was not unobserved by Jupiter, delighting in thunder : 

"O Dodonean, Pelasgic king Jove, dwelling far from us, pre- 
siding over the bleak Dodona : and around 5 dwell thy prophets, 

235 the Selli, with feet unwashed, and sleeping upon the earth ; 
assuredly thou didst once hear my voice when praying 6 — didst 
honour me, and greatly damage the people of the Achasans : and 
now again accomplish for me this desire. For I will myself re- 

^40 main in the throng of ships, but I send forth my companion, 
with the numerous Myrmidons, to battle ; send thou glory along 
with him, O far-sounding Jove ; incite his heart 7 within his 
breast, that Hector too may know, whether our attendant, even 
alone 8 , understands how to wage war, and whether his 9 hands 
will then rage invincible, when I myself go forth to the combat 

£™* of Mars. But after he has driven the battle and the shout from 
the ships, may he then return to me, to the swift barks, unhurt, 
with all his armour and close-fighting comrades." 

Thus he spake, praying, and the wise Jove heard him. One 

^0 part the father granted him, but refused the other. He granted 
him to repulse the war and battle from the ships, but refused 
him to return safe from the combat. He, however, having 
poured out a libation, and prayed to father Jove, went back into 
his tent, and replaced the cup in the chest. And coming back, 

25o jj e st 00( i before the tent, for he still desired in his heart to be- 
hold the dire battle of the Trojans and Achseans. 

And those who were armed along with the brave Patroclus, 
marched in good order, till, in high spirits 1 they rushed upon the 
Trojans. Then at once they poured out like to wasps by the 

260 r oad-side, which foolish boys, according to custom, irritate, con- 
stantly vexing them, in their nests by the road ; and cause a 
common evil among many. And if perchance any way-faring 
man, travelling there, disturb them through ignorance, they, 

' L ®5 possessing bold hearts, all fly forth, and defend their young. 

5 i. e. Dodona. 6 My word of me praying. 

7 i. e. give him resolution. 8 i. e. without me. 

9 i. e. Hector's. — The point is, if Patroclus be too much for Hector, let Hector 
think h ow he is to withstand me. The construction will bear perhaps this inter- 
pretation also — that he may know whether Patroclus by himself knows how to 
fight, or then only rages, when I go out with him to battle — but this is compara" 
lively flat and feeble. l Thinking greatly. 



ILIAD XVL— V. 266— 307. 273 

With the heart and spirit of these, the Myrmidons then poured 
from the ships, and a vast tumult arose. And Patroclus animated 
his comrades, loudly shouting : 

K Ye Myrmidons, comrades of Achilles, the son of Peleus, be 
men, my friends, and be mindful of your best energies, that both 270 
we, his close-fighting servants, may do honour to the son of 
Peleus, who is by far the bravest of the Achseans, at the ships ; 
and that the son of Atreus, the wide-ruling Agamemnon, may 
know his folly, when he insulted 2 the bravest of the Achseans." 

So saying, he roused the valour and courage of each ; and in a 275 
body they fell upon the Trojans: and the ships around echoed 
fearfully, while the Achaaans shouted. And the Trojans, when 
they beheld the gallant son of Menoetius, himself and his atten- 
dant glittering in arms,— the hearts of all were agitated, and 280 
the phalanxes gave way, supposing that the swift footed son of 
Peleus at the ships had flung away his indignation, and taken up 
friendship 3 : and each one gazed about, where he might escape 
dire destruction. 

And Patroclus first hurled his shining spear right into the 
midst, where they were huddled together in greatest numbers, by 285 
the stern of the ship of the brave Protesilaus, and struck Py- 
raechmes, who led the Pseonian cavalry 4 from Amydon, from the 
wide-flowing Axius. Him he struck upon the right shoulder, 
and, groaning, he fell flat in the dust : and the Pceonians, his 
comrades, were put to rout around him, for Patroclus sent fear 290 
upon them all, having slain their leader, who was the bravest in 
battle 5 . And he drove them from the ships, and extinguished 
the blazing fire. And the ship half-burnt was there left, and 
the Trojans were routed with a prodigious tumult : and the 295 
Danaans poured forth along the hollow ships; and a mighty 
confusion was created. And as when, from the lofty summit of 
a huge mountain, Jove, who collects the lightning, removes a 
thick cloud, and all the rocks and high ridges and forests become 300 
visible, and in the sky breaks forth 6 an immeasurable aether: so 
the Danaans breathed a little, after repelling the hostile fire 
from their ships. There was however no cessation of battle ; 
for not yet were the Trojans routed pell-mel] from the black 
ships by the warlike Achseans, but still offered resistance, and 305 
retired 7 from the ships only from necessity, Then, of the 
leaders, man slew man, the fight being spread ; and first, the 

2 Nothing honoured. 3 i. e. was reconciled to Atrides. 

4 i. e. still car-warriors — there is no evidence that cavalry in the modern sense 
were in use. 6 Who was best to fight 

• Is made to burst forth from heaven. 7 i. e. slov/ly. 

19 



274 ILIAD XVI. — V. 308—344. 

gallant son of Mencetius, with his sharp spear, immediately 
smote the thigh of Areilochus. when turned about, and drove the 

310 brass quite through : and the spear split the bone, and he fell 
prone upon the earlh And warlike Menelaus also wounded 
Thoas upon the breast, when exposed 8 by the shield, and loosened 
his members But Phyleides, watching Amphiclus, whilst rush- 

315 ing in, anticipating, struck 9 him in the hinder part of the leg, 
where the muscles 1 of a man are thickest; and the sinews were 
cut quite through by the point of the spear, and darkness covered 
his eyes. And the sons 2 of Nestor — Antilochus, smote Atymnius 
with his sharp spear, and drove the brazen weapon through his 
flank, and he Ml before him ; and Maris, standing in front of the 

320 carcase, rushed close upon Antilochus with his spear, enraged on 
account of his brother. But the godlike Thrasymedes, striking 
at him, wounded him first 3 in the shoulder. — missed him not ; and 
the point of the spear stript the muscles from the back of the 

325 arm, and tore them oif the bone. And he gave a sound, falling, 
and darkness covered his eyes. Thus, subdued, by two brothers, 
these two went to Erebus, the brave companions of Sarpedon. 
the spear-darting sons of Amisodarus; — he who nursed the un- 
conquerable Chimaera, an evil to many men. 

330 And Ajax, son of Oi'leus, rushing upon Cleobulus, took him 
alive, entangled in the crowd ; and there loosened his strength, 
striking him upon the neck with his hilled sword. And the 
whole sword was warmed over with blood, and purple death and 
forceful fate seized his eyes. 

335 And Peneleus and Lycon engaged in close combat ; for they 
had missed each other with their spears, and both had thrown in 
vain ; and they charged again with their swords. Then Lycon 
smote the cone of the other's helmet, crested with horse-hair, 
and the sword broke close to the hilt. But Peneleus struck his 

340 neck below the ear, and the whole sword sank in ? and the skin 
alone held it : and the head dropt down, and his members were 
loosened. 

Meriones also, overtaking Acamas with rapid feet, smote him, 
while mounting his car, on the right shoulder ; and he fell from 
the car, and darkness was poured over his eyes. 

8 Made naked as to his breast 

» He was beforehand with him in striking, &c. — scpfy ogs%. scil. ^yX Zu Com- 
pare line 322, where the phrase is more complete. 

1 i. e. the calf — Amphiclus was not rushing at Mm, but at some other ; and 
Phylides, watching his opportunity, struck him as he passed. 

2 Antilochus and Thrasymedes. 

3 i. e. was beforehand with him, as in line 314. 



ILIAD XVI— V. 345—383. 275 

And Idomeneus struck Erymas in the mouth with his ruthless 345 
bra<s ; and the brazen weapon passed through below, under the 
brain, and clei't the white bones. And his teeth were dashed 
out. and both his eyes filled with blood, which he poured out from 
his mouth and from his nostrils, gaping; and the black cloud of 350 
death covered him round. These leaders of the Danaans then 
slew each his man. 

And as destructive wolves rush on lambs or kids, snatching 
them from the flocks, which are scattered on the mountains by 
the negligence of the shepherd ; and they perceiving them, 
immediately tear the timid 4 animals in pieces : so the Danaans 35i> 
rushed upon the Trojans, and the Trojans were mindful of horrid- 
sounding rout, and forgetful of active bravery 5 . And the mighty 
Ajax burned to hurl his javelin at Hector, armed in brass; but 
he, by his skill in war, covering his broad shoulders with his 360 
bull's-hide shield, watched the hiss of arrows and the whizzing 
of darts. He perceived indeed the victory of battle was leaning 
the other way 6 ; yet even thus he remained, and saved his be- 
loved companions. 

And as when from Olympus comes a cloud into the heavens, 
out of a clear atmosphere, when Jove rouses the storm ; so was 365 
the clamour and rout of the Trojans flying frc m the ships. Nor 
did they repass the ditch in good order ; but the swift-footed 
steeds bore Hector out 7 with his arms ; and he deserted the Tro- 
jan army, whom, against their will, the deep ditch kept back. 
And many car-dragging fleet horses left the cars of their masters 370 
in the ditch, broken at the point of the pole 8 . And Patroclus 
pursued keenly, animating the Danaans, and meditating evils on 
the Trojans ; and they, with outcry and rout, filled all the roads 
after they were scattered. And a tempest of dust was spread 
aloft under the clouds, and the solid-hoofed horses pressed back 375 
towards the city from the ships and tents. And Patroclus, where- 
soever he beheld the troops in greatest confusion, thither directed 
his course, shouting with threats ; and beneath his axle men fell 
prone from their chariots, and the cars were overturned with a 
crash. Then the fleet, immortal steeds, which the gods had 380 
given as distinguished presents to Peleus, pressing forward, 
sprang quite across the ditch : and his spirit urged him against 
Hector, for he was eager to strike him : and his swift horses bore 
him out. 

* Having tiiriJ spirit. 6 i. e. thought of nothing hut flight. 

« krsprxkxza. — helping the other side. 7 i. e. out of the battle — over the ditch, 
a tfgu«rc.; — first pole — Or first part of it — meaning the car end of it — close to' the 
car. 



276 ILIAD XVI.— V. 385-425. 

And as the black earth is entirely burthened by a tempest on 

385 an autumnal day, what time Jove pours forth his very violent 
streams ; when at length he gives vent to his fury, enraged with 
men, who, by violence, exercise perverse judgment 9 in the forum, 
and expel justice, not fearing the vengeance of the gods ; and all 

390 their rivers grow full, flowing along, and the torrents then tear 
away many declivities, and, pouring headlong from the moun- 
tains into the purple sea, roar loudly, and the works of men are 
destroyed 1 : so loudly snorted the Trojan steeds, running along. 
And Patroclus, when he had intercepted the front columns, 

395 drove them back again towards the ships, and permitted them 
not, desiring it, to ascend towards the city ; but, pressing upon 
them, slaughtered them midway between the ships, and the river 
and high rampart, and exacted vengeance for many. Then 
indeed he smote with his shining spear Pronous first, having his 

40O breast naked near the shield, and loosened his members : and he 
gave a sound, falling. And Patroclus, attacking next Thestor, 
the son of Enops — and he sat, crouching, in his well-polished 
car, for he was panic-struck in his mind, and the reins had then 

405 dropped from his hands — and Patroclus, standing near, struck 
him with his spear on the right cheek, and drove it through his 
teeth. Then, catching the spear, he dragged him over the 
panels 2 of the car — as when some man, sitting upon a projecting 
rock, pulls with a line and bright hook 3 , a sacred fish clear out 
from the sea ; so he dragged him, gaping, from his car with the 

410 shining spear. Then he shook him off upon his mouth 4 , and life 
left him, falling. And next he struck Erylaus, rushing against 
him, on the middle of the head with a rock ; and it was all cut 
asunder into two parts in his strong casque : and Erylaus then 
fell flat upon the earth, and fatal death was poured around him. 

415 And afterwards Erymas, and Amphoterus, Epaltes, and Tlepo- 
lemus, the son of Damastor, and Echius, and Pyris, and Ipheus, 
and Eui'ppus, and Polymelus, the son of Argeus, all one after the 
other he brought down upon the fertile earth. 

And when Sarpedon perceived his loose-girded 5 comrades 

420 subdued by the hands of Patroclus, son of Menoetius, he exhorted 
the godlike Lycians, reviling them : 

" For shame, Lycians, whither fly thee ? Now be active : for 
I will oppose this man, that I may know who he is that is so 
victorious : for truly he hath wrought many evils to the Trojans, 

435 and has loosened the knees of many and brave men." 

9 Who judge perverse judgments. 

> Lessened. * The avru|. s Brass. * He fell upon his face. 

s ajAiT^o^iTWves — peculiar to the Lycians — they seem to have worn no mitra At 
the bottom of, or under, the corselet. 



M 



ILIAD XVL— V. 426—471. 27? 

He said, and leaped from his car with his armour to the 
ground ; and Patroclus, on the other side, when he beheld him, 
sprang from his car. Then they — as crooked-taloned, hook- 
beaked vultures, loudly screaming, fight upon a lofty rock — so 
they, shouting, rushed against each other. And the son of wily 430 
Saturn, looking upon them, felt compassion, and addressed Juno, 
his sister and spouse : 

" Alas for me, since it is fated that Sarpedon, dearest to me of 
men, shall be subdued by Patroclus, the son of Menoetius. And 
my heart impels me two ways 6 , revolving in my breast, whether 435 
I shall snatch him, being alive, from the tearful battle, and place 
him among the rich people of Lycia, or now subdue him by the 
hands of the son of Menoetius." 

And him answeied then the large-eyed, imperial Juno : " Most 
despotic son of Saturn, what word hast thou spoken ? Desirest 440 
thou again to free from sad death a man, being a mortal long ago 
doomed to his fate ? Do so ; but all we the other gods shall not 
approve. And I tell thee another thing, and do thou cast 7 it in 
thy mind. If thou shouldst save, and send 8 this Sarpedon home, 445 
consider whether some other of the gods may not hereafter also 
wish to send away his beloved son from the rough battle ; for 
round the vast city of Priam fight many sons of immortals, upon 
whom thou wilt throw heavy displeasure. But if he be dear to 
thee, and thy heart pities him, let him be subdued in the rough 450 
battle, by the hands of Patroclus, the son of Menoetius ; and when 
his spirit and life have left him, send Death and sweet Sleep to 
carry him until they reach the people of wide Lycia. There 
his brethren and friends will perform his obsequies with a tomb 455 
and a pillar ; for that is the honour of the dead." 

Thus she spake, nor did the father of gods and men refuse; 
but he poured down upon the earth bloody dew-drops, honouring 
his beloved son, whom Patroclus was going to kill in fertile Troy, 460 
far from his native land. 

And when, advancing, they were now near each othei, then 
indeed Patroclus struck the illustrious Thrasymelus, who was 
the gallant attendant of king Sarpedon — him he struck upon the 
lower part of the belly, and loosened his limbs. Then Sarpe- 465 
don, next attacking, missed him with his bright javelin ; but 
wounded the horse Pedasus, with his spear, in the right shoulder ; 
and he groaned, breathing out his life, and fell, moaning, in the 
dust, and his life fled from him. But the other two started asun- 470 
der, and the yoke crashed, and the reins were hampered about 

« To me, turning, &c. 7 **. e. attend to it. 

8 Saving alive ( Jwv) shouldst send. 



278 ILIAD XVI— V. 472—512. 

them, after the outer horse lay in the dust. For this, however, 
the spear-skilled Automedon found a remedy 9 . Drawing his 
long sword from his stout thigh, hastening, he cut away the 

475 outer horse, nor did it lazily. And the two horses were put 
straight, and were managed by the reins : and the two warriors 
again rushed together for deadly combat. 

Then again Sarpedon missed with his shining spear, and the 
point of the weapon went over the left shoulder of Patroclus, 
and wounded him not. And Patroclus next attacked with his 

480 javelin, and the weapon escaped not in vain from his hand, but 
struck him where the midriff 1 protects the beating heart. And 
he fell, as when falls some oak, or poplar, or lofty pine, which 
workmen cut down in the mountains with newly-sharpened 

$85 axes, for naval timber ; so lay he stretched before his horses and 
chariot, grinding his teeth and grasping the bloody dust. As a 
lion, coming among a herd, slays a bull, tawny, and brave, among 
slow-footed oxen, and he perishes, bellowing, beneath the fangs 
of the lion ; so the leader of the shielded Lycians was enraged 

490 at being slain by Patroclus, and addressed his beloved comrade 
by name: 

ft Glaucus, my friend, warrior among heroes, now does it 
greatly behoove thee to be a spearman and a daring Varrior ; 
now let destructive battle be thy desire, if thou art an alert 

495 avenger. First, stir up the leaders of the Lycians— going 
among them all — to fight round Sarpedon, and then do thou 
thyself also combat for me with thy spear. For I shall, even in 
after times, be a cause of shame and disgrace to thee for ever 2 , 
if the Achaeans strip me of my armour, falling in this battle at 

£00 the ships. Bravely then hold on to the fight, and animate all 
the army." 

Whilst he was thus speaking, the end of death covered his 
eyes and nostrils 3 ; and Patroclus, planting his heel upon his 
breast, drew out the spear from his body, and immediately the 
pericardium 4 followed with it ; and he drew out together his 

505 life 7 and the point of the weapon. And the Myrmidons held 
there his snorting steeds, eager to fly along after they quitted 5 
the car of their lords. And a sharp pang came upon Glaucus, 
hearing the voice of his friend ; and his heart was shaken, that 

£10 he could not aid him. But, holding his (own) arm with his 
hand, he pressed it; for grievously pained him the wound, 
which Teucer with an arrow had — repelling the battle from his 

9 End. ! Or the pericardium. 2 All days throughout. 

3 The end of death then covered him, thus speaking, as to his eyes and nostrils. 

4 ygsvsg. 5 ,-, Ct a fter the car was left by Sarpedon and his driver. 



ILIAD XVI.— V. 513—552. 279 

comrades — inflicted upon him, whilst springing upon the lofty- 
rampart ; and then, praying, he addressed the far-darting 
Apollo : 

" Hear, O king, whether thou art in the rich state of Lycia, 
or in Troy 6 , for thou canst every where hear a man in trouble. 515 
as trouble now comes upon me. For this wound which I have 
is severe, and my hand is pierced in all directions with sharp 
pains, nor can my blood be staunched, and my shoulder is 
weighed down with it. And I cannot firmly hold my spear, nor 
can /, advancing, combat with the enemy ; and the bravest hero 520 
has fallen, Sarpedon, the son of Jove : nor does he assist his own 
son. Heal thou then for me this severe wound, O king; and 
lull my pains, and grant me strength, that, animating my com- 
rades, the Lycians, I may urge them to fight ; and may myself 525 
combat for the dead body." 

Thus he spake, praying, and Phoebus Apollo heard him. Im- 
mediately he allayed the pains, and dried up the black blood 
from the severe wound, and threw strength into his soul. And 
Glaucus was conscious of the cure, and was delighted, that the 530 
great god had for his sake 7 quickly heard him, praying. First 
then, going about in all directions, he exhorted the heroes, 
leaders of the Lycians, to fight for Sarpedon ; and then went 
among the Trojans, loudly calling upon Polydamas, the son of 535 
Panthus. and the noble Agenor. And he went after iEneas, and 
brazen-armed Hector, and, standing near, addressed to him these 
winged words : 

" Hector, now art thou wholly neglectful of thine allies, who 
for thy sake, far from their friends and native land, are losing 
their lives ; and thou wilt not assist them. Sarpedon lies dead, 540 
the leader of the shielded Lycians, who defended Lycia by his 
justice and his valour. For him has brazen Mars subdued with 
a spear by Patroclus. Stand 8 by us then, friends, and consider 
the scandal in your minds, should the Myrmidons take away his 545 
armour, and insult his corpse, enraged on account of all the Da- 
naans, who have perished, whom we have slain with our spears 
at the swift ships." 

Thus he spake, and deeply did grief intolerable, excessive, 
seize the Trojans, for he had been a pillar of their city, though 
a foreigner ; for many troops followed along with him, and 550 
among them he was himself the most valiant in battle. Glowing, 
therefore, they advanced straight upon the Danaans ; and Hec- 

6 Lit. who somewhere art in, &c. 

7 oi — for Sarpedon's sake — had heard his prayer. 

8 Or, assist your friends. 



280 ILIAD XVI— V. 553—595. 

tor headed them, inflamed with anger on account of Sarpedon. 
And the resolute spirit of Patroclus, the son of Menoetius, roused 

855 the Achseans. The Ajaxes first he addressed, themselves also 
eager : 

" O Ajaxes, let it now be dear to you both to repulse the foe 
— be such as you were of old among heroes, or even braver. 
Dead lies Sarpedon, the man who first leaped upon the wall of 
the Acheeans. But O that we could seize his body and insult 

S60 it 9 — and strip his armour from his shoulders, and subdue some 
one of his comrades, now keeping us off, with our ruthless brass.''' 
Thus he spake, and they themselves were also prompt to 
repel the foe. And when they had strengthened their columns 
on both sides, both the Trojans and Lycians, and Myrmidons and 
Achseans, they closed to fight round the dead body, shouting 

$65 horribly, and the arms of the men rattled aloud. And Jove 
spread pernicious night over the fierce battle, that the toil of 
combat round his dear son might be destructive. And the Tro- 

£70 jans first drove back the brave 1 Achseans : for a man was smitten, 
by no means the worst among the Myrmidons, noble Epigeus, 
son of brave Agacles, who once ruled in the well-inhabited Bu- 
deium ; but then having slain a gallant kinsman, he came as a 
suppliant to Peleus, and the silver-footed Thetis ; and they sent 

$75 him along with Achilles, the breaker of ranks, to follow to Ilium, 
renowned for steeds, that he might fight against the Trojans. 
Him then, when catching hold of the body, the illustrious Hector 
struck upon the head with a stone : and it was all cleft in twain 
in his strong casque : and he fell prone upon the corse, and fatal 

£80 death was poured around him. Then grief arose within Patro- 
clus, for his comrade slain ; and he burst right through the fore- 
most combatants, like to a swift hawk, which puts to flight 
jackdaws or starlings — so, O equestrian Patroclus, didst thou 

585 rush right upon the Lycians and Trojans ; for thou wert enraged 
in thy heart about thy comrade. And he struck Sthenelaus, the 
beloved son of Itluemeneus, upon the neck with a stone, and 
burst his tendons : and the foremost combatants and the illustrious 
Hector fell back, as far as is the cast of a long javelin, which a 

590 man may throw, either striving in a game, or even in war, 
among 2 his life destroying foes j so far the Trojans fell back, and 
the Achseans repulsed them. 

And Glaucus, the leader of the shielded Lycians, first turned, 
and slew the brave Bathycles, the beloved son of Chalcon, who, 

595 inhabiting mansions in Hellas, was conspicuous among the 

9 i. e. by exposing him to dogs and birds of prey. 

» foixwires. A. 389. I\ 190. 2 Into, 



ILIAD XYL— V. 596—637. 2S1 

Myrmidons for riches and wealth. Him then Glaucus, turning 
round suddenly, wounded in the middle of the breast with his 
spear, when Bathycles, pursuing, was overtaking him. He, 
falling, gave a sound ; and deep grief seized the Achaeans, he- 600 
cause a brave warrior had fallen ; but the Trojans greatly re- 
joiced, and, going in a body, stood round him ; nor were the 
Achaeans forgetful of valour, but straightway bore their might 
against them. Then again Meriones slew a brave man of the 
Trojans, Laogonus, the gallant son of Onetor, who was a priest 
of Idsean Jove, and was honoured by the people like a god. 605 
Him he struck below the jaw and ear, and his soul quickly de- 
parted from his limbs, and hateful night seized him. And 
JEneas sent a brazen spear at Meriones, for he hoped to hit 
him, as he was striding forward under cover of his shield. He, 610 
however, observing it coming against him, avoided the brazen 
spear ; for he bent forward, and the long javelin pitched in the 
earth behind him, and the shaft of the spear quivered above ; 
and there the rapid weapon 3 then spent its force. For the 
javelin of JEneas, quivering, went into the earth, after it had 615 
sprung in vain from his strong hand. Then iEneas was indig- 
nant in his mind, and said : 

" Meriones, soon my spear would have for ever put thee to 
rest, dancer 4 as thou art, had I but struck thee." 

To him again spear-skilled Meriones spake in return : "JEneas, 
it were hard for thee, gallant although thou art, to extinguish 620 
the valour of all who come against thee to repulse thee 5 ; for 
thou art also mortal. And if I, aiming at thee, should strike thy 
middle with my sharp spear, brave as thou art, and confident in 
thy prowess 6 , thou wouldest immediately give thy glory to me, 625 
and thy soul to Pluto, famed for steeds." 

Thus he spake, but the gallant son of Menoetius chid him : 
" Meriones, why dost thou, brave although thou art, talk thus 7 ? 
O, my friend, the Trojans will not retire from the corpse for 
opprobrious words, before the earth hold some one of them : for 
the end of war is in the hands, but that of words is in the coun- 630 
cil ; wherefore it does not behoove thee to multiply words, but 
to fight." 

So saying, he then led the way, and the godlike man followed 
along with him. And as the crash of wood-cutters 8 arises in the 
glens of a mountain, and the sound is heard from afar ; so from 635 
them, smitten with swords and double pointed spears, arose, 
from the wide-extended plain, the clash of brass, of leather, and 

3 Ag*i£» 4 He had eluded the stroke by his agility. 6 Keeping thee off. 

6 Thy hands. ? Talk these words. 8 Wood-cutting men. 



282 ILIAD XVI.— V. 63S— 677. 

of well prepared bulls' hides. Nor would a man, although well 
acquainted with him, any longer have known the noble Sarpe- 

640 don, for he was covered all over, from the head to the soles of 
the feet, with weapons, and gore and dust. And they still 
crowded round the corpse, as when flies in the stall hum among 
pails full of milk, during the vernal season, when the milk wets 9 
the vessels. So they still crowded round the body: nor did 

645 Jove ever turn his bright eyes from the brave battle ; but al- 
ways looked upon ihem, and meditated many things in his mind 
respecting the death of Patroclus, anxiously deliberating whether 
now the illustrious Hector, for the sake of godlike Sarpedon, 

650 should slay him with the spear in the fierce fight, and strip the 
armour from his shoulders, or yet awhile he should increase severe 
labour to more. Thus to him, reflecting, it appeared to be bet- 
ter, that the brave comrade of Achilles, son of Peleus, should 
drive back the Trojans and Hector, armed in brass, towards the 

655 city, and take away life from many. For into Hector, first of 
all y he sent enfeebling Fright ; and he ascending his car, turned 
himself to flight, and advised the other Trojans to fly, for he 
recognised the sacred scales 1 of Jove. Then neither did the 
brave Lycians remain, but all took to flight when they beheld 

660 their king wounded in the heart, lying among a heap of dead ; 
for many had fallen over him, as long as the son of Saturn 
stretched 2 the chord of fierce strife. And when the others 
(Achceans) had stripped the armour from the shoulders of Sar- 

665 pedon, brazen and glittering, the gallant son of Mencetius gave 
them to his comrades to carry to the hollow ships : and then the 
the cloud-collecting Jove addressed Apollo : 

" Come now 3 , my dear Phoebus, go and cleanse Sarpedon from 
the black gore, taking him 4 up from among the weapons ; and 
then, bearing him far away, wash him in the streams of a river, 

670 and anoint him with ambrosia, and put round him imperishable 
robes ; and then give him in charge to the twin brothers, Sleep 
and Death, swift guides, to be carried by them — they who will 
speedily lay him in the rich state of broad Lycia. There his 

675 brethren and friends will perform his obsequies with a tomb and 
a monument, for that is the honour of the dead." 

Thus he spake ; nor was Apollo inattentive to his father, but 

9 And of course, Jills. l i. e. the will of Jove. Compare ©. 69. 

2 Compare A. 336, &. 389. — unless the word here refers to <raXav<ra (scales), 
and then the sense will be — suspended the scales. 

3 Lit. But if— come now — i. e. if you wlil be so obliging, or some implication 
of that sort. 

4 Compare line 678 below £x /3eXswv— i. e. from the field of battle. 



ILIAD XVL—V. 677-720. 283 

descended from the Idaean mountains to the dire battle. And 
immediately taking up the noble Sarpedon from the weapons, 
and bearing him far away, he washed him in the streams of a 
river, anointed him with ambrosia, and put about him imperisha- 680 
ble robes ; then gave him in charge to the twin-brothers, Sleep 
and Death, swift guides, to be borne along by them ; and they 
quickly laid him down in the rich state of broad Lycia. 

But Patroclus, animating his steeds and Automedon, followed 
upon the Trojans and Lycians, and made a great mistake — foolish 685 
man, — for if he had observed the direction of the son of Peleus, 
he would have surely escaped the evil destiny of black death. 
But ever is the counsel of Jove superior to that of men, who puts 
to flight even the brave man, and takes away victory with ease, 690 
even when he himself impels him to fight — it was ne who then 
excited his courage in his breast. Then whom first, and whom 
last, didst thou slay, O Patroclus, when the gods now summoned 
thee to death ? Adrastus first, and Autonous and Echeclus, and 
Perlmus, the son of Megas, and Epistor, and Melanippus ; and 695 
afterwards Elasus, and Mulius, and Pylartes. These he slew ; 
and the rest were one and all mindful of flight 5 . Then would 
the sons of the Achasans have taken high-gated Troy, by the 
hands of Patroclus. for he raged mightily before others with 
his spear ; had not Phoebus Apollo stood upon a well-built tower. 700 
meditating destruction to him, and assisting the Trojans. Thrice 
did Patroclus mount 6 upon a buttress of the lofty wall, and thrice 
did Apollo push him off, striking his glittering shield with his 
immortal hands. But when now, like to a god, he rushed on the 705 
fourth time, the far-darting Apollo, fearfully threatening, ad- 
dressed him : 

" Retire, noble Patroclus ; it is not fated, that the city of the 
haughty Trojans should be laid waste by thy spear, nor by that 
of Achilles, who is much mightier than thou.' 7 

Thus he spake, and Patroclus retired a great way back, avoid- 710 
ing the wrath of the far-darting Apollo. 

Meanwhile Hector was holding his horses at the Scaean gates ; 
for he was in doubt whether, driving again into the throng, he 
should fight, or urge the troops to collect against the wall. Whilst 
revolving these things, Phoebus Apollo stood near him, with the 715 
semblance of a warrior, active and brave, — Asius, who was the 
maternal uncle of equestrian Hector, full brother of Hecuba, and 
son of Dymas, who dwelt in Phrygia, by the streams of the San- 
garius — to him Phoebus Apollo, assimilating himself, addressed 720 
Hector : 

5 Were mindful of flight, each of them. 6 i. e. made the attempt. 



284 ILIAD XVI.— V. 721—758. 

" Hector, why dost thou shrink from battle ? It becomes not 
thee. Would that I were as much superior to thee as I am in- 
ferior ; then soon at thy peril shouldst thou recede from the bat- 
tle. Come then, drive thy solid-hoofed horses against Patroclus, 

725 that, if possible, thou mayest kill him, and Apollo give thee glory." 

So saying, the god went again to the toil of heroes ; and the 

illustrious Hector commanded the brave Cebriones, to lash the 

steeds to the fight. And Apollo, proceeding entered the throng ; 

730 and sent destructive confusion among the Argives ; and bestowed 
glory upon the Trojans and Hector. And Hector passed by the 
other Danaans, and slew them not ; but directed his solid-hoofed 
horses against Patroclus. And Patroclus, on the other side, 
leaped from his car to the ground, holding his spear in his left 
hand ; and with the other snatched up a stone, white and rugged, 

735 which his hand covered round 7 , and threw it with all his force 8 . 
Nor 9 was he far from the man. Not in vain was the weapon 
thrown, for he struck with the sharp stone, upon the forehead, 
the driver of Hector, Cebriones, — a bastard son of renowned 

740 Priam, — whilst holding the reins of the horses. And the stone 
crushed both his eye-brows, nor did the bone 1 sustain it, and his 
eyes fell in the dust upon the ground before his feet ; and he. 
like to a diver, fell from the well-wrought car, and the life 
quitted his bones. And him with gibes didst thou thus address, 
O equestrian Patroclus : 

745 « Ye gods ! what a very active man ! how nimbly he dives ! 
truly if he were in the fishy sea, that man, seeking oysters, 
would get abundance for many, leaping down from his ship, if it 2 
were ever so tempestuous — so easily into the plain does he dive 

750 from his car. And doubtless among the Trojans there are divers 3 
enough" 

So saying, he went towards the hero Cebriones, with the fury 
of a lion, which ravaging the folds, is wounded in the breast, and 
its own boldness destroys it ; so didst thou spring, O Patroclus, 

755 glowing, upon Cebriones ; and Hector, on the other side, leaped 
from his horses to the ground. For Cebriones, like lions, did 
these two contend— ^which, both hungry, fight with proud spirits 
for a slaughtered stag on the summits of a mountain — so for Ce- 

* i. e. it filled his hand. 8 S^SjtfaptSvos — striving with much effort. 

9 Possibly — neither was the -weapon far from the man, nor was it in vain, for 
he struck, &c. The reading is probably not correct — nothing better seemt 
likely to be made of the present. 

1 i.e. the frontal bone. * t. e. tfovros. 

3 The meaning may be — doubtless there are other divers among the Trojans — 
i. e. the Trojans may all be knocked over in the same way. 



ILIAD XVI.- V. 760—798. 2S5 

briones, these two skilful warriors, Patroclus, son of Mencetius, 760 
and the illustrious Hector, strove to pierce 4 each other's bodies 
with direful brass. Hector, when he seized it 5 by the head, did 
not let go his hold ; and Patroclus, on the other side, held it by 
the foot ; and now the rest of the Trojans and Danaans joined 
the stubborn fight. 

And as the east and south winds strive with one another, in the 765 
glens of a mountain, to shake a deep forest — beech, and ash, and 
rugged 6 cornel, which dash their long-extended branches against 
each other with a mighty sound, and there is a crash of them 
breaking ; so Trojans and Achseans, springing upon one another, 
slaughtered, and neither were mindful of pernicious flight. Many 770 
sharp spears were fixed round Cebriones, and feathered arrows 
springing from the string ; and many huge stones struck against 
the shields of those combating round him ; but he, mighty, lay 775 
at huge length in a heap of dust, forgetful of his skill in the 
chariot. 

As long indeed as the sun was ascending the middle heaven, 
so long the weapons in great numbers 7 reached both sides, and 
the people fell. But when the sun had passed over towards the 
west 3 , then indeed the Achaeans were superior, beyond their 7S0 
fate. They dragged the hero Cebriones from among the wea- 
pons, from the throng of Trojans, and stripped the armour from 
his shoulders. And Patroclus, with ill designs 9 , rushed on the 
Trojans. Thrice then he charged, equal to swift Mars, shouting 785 
horribly, and thrice slew nine men. But when, like a god, he 
attacked the fourth time, then indeed, O Patroclus, the term of 
thy life appeared ; for Phoebus, terrible in the fierce battle, 
opposed thee. He (Patroclus) had not observed him coming 
through the crowd, for he advanced against him covered with 790 
thick darkness, and stood behind and struck him with his flat 
hand upon the back and broad shoulders 1 , and his eyes swam 
round 2 . From his head Phoebus Apollo dashed the casque, and 
the beavered helmet rattled, rolling under the horses' feet, and 
the crest was defiled with blood and dust. Never before had 795 
that happened to the helmet, crested with horse-hair, to be de- 
filed in the dust ! For it had protected the head and the beau- 
tiful brow of the godlike man, Achilles ; and Jove then gave it 

* To cut. s ,*. €t the body of Cebriones. 

* Having long bark. » ^«Xa — much. 

* To the unyoking of the oxen — i. e. the close of the day. 
9 Thinking evils — with a sort of malice prepense. 

i That part of the back which is between the shoulders. 

* Were whirled round to him. 



286 ILIAD XVI.-V. 799-840. 

to Hector to wear upon his head, though his own destruction 

800 was at hand. The whole of the long-shadowing spear, heavy, 
large, and bound with brass, was broken in his 3 hands : and the 
shield, which reached to his heels, with its belt, fell upon the 
ground; and king Apollo, the son of Jove, unbuckled 4 his coislet. 

805 And a stupor seized his brain, and his fair limbs were loosened 
under him, and he stoo J panic-struck. And a Dardan hero, Eu- 
phorbus, son of Panthus. who surpassed those of his age in the use 
of the spear, in horsemanship, and in swift feet, smote him, close 

810 to him, with his sharp spear, upon the back, between the shoul- 
ders — for even then he hurled twenty men from their horses, 
when he first came 5 in his car, and learnt the art of war : he 
first sent a spear at thee, O equestrian Patroclus, but subdued 
thee not ; and he ran back again and mixed with the crowd. 

815 after plucking the ashen spear from the body : nor awaited Pa- 
troclus, though now unarmed, in battle. And Patroclus, shaken 
by the blow of the god, and by the spear, retired back upon the 
column of his comrades, avoiding death. And Hector, when he 
perceived the brave Patroclus retiring back, wounded with a 

820 sharp spear, went through the ranks close up to him, and smote 
• him with his javelin in the lower part of the flank, and drove 
the brass quite through : and falling, he gave a sound, and 
greatly afihcted the people of the Achaeans. And as when a 
lion attacks a mighty boar in fight, and they, high-spirited, con- 
tend upon the summits of a mountain, for a little fountain — for 

825 both desire to drink — and the lion subdues by force the boar, 
panting much ; so Hector, son of Priam, close, with his spear, 
deprived of life the gallant son of Mencetius, who had slain 
many 6 ; and, boasting over him, uttered these winged words : 

830 u Patroclus, without doubt thou didst expect to lay waste our 
city, and to carry off, in thy ships, the Trojan women, depriving 
them of their freedom 7 , to thy loved native land. Fool ! for in 
defence of them, Hector's fleet steeds hasten with their feet to 

835 war, and I myself, who defend them from slavery 8 , am conspic- 
uous among the war loving Trojans with the spear. But thee 
the vultures shall here devour. Unhappy man ! Achilles, brave 
as he is, aids thee not — he who perchance, remaining behind, 
enjoined thee much on thy going — saying, c Return not to me. 
O equestrian Patroclus, to the hollow ships, before thou hast 

$40 cleft the bloody corslet upon the breast of man-slaying Hector/ 



"3 Those of Patroclus. * Loosened — unfastened. 5 First coming, &c 

« Killing many. 7 Their free day. 

8 The day of necessity — slavery or death. 



ILIAD XVL— V. 841— S69. 287 

Thus, perhaps, he addressed thee, and persuaded thy foolish 
spirit 9 ." 

And to him, O noble Patroclus, didst thou, panting, say : " Now 
indeed, Hector, boast aloud, for Jove, son of Saturn, and Apollo, 
who subdued me easily, have given thee the victory; for it was 845 
they who stript the armour from my shoulders. For if even 
twenty such as thou had opposed me, they would have all iper- 
ished here, subdued by my spear. But destructive fate, and 
the son of Latona, have slain me 1 , and of men. Euphorbus; 
and thou, the third, dost spoil me now I am slain. Yet I will 850 
tell thee something else, and do thou cast it in thy mind. Not 
long, of a truth, shalt thou live 2 thyself, but death and violent 
fate already stand near thee, subdued by the hands of Achilles, 
the noble descendant of iEacus." 855 

Hun then, having thus spoken, the end 3 of death covered. 
And his spirit departed to Hades, flying from his limbs, lament- 
ing its fate, and quitting manhood and youth. Him, although 
dead, the illustrious Hector addressed: 

" Why now, Patroclus, dost thou prophesy severe destruction 860 
to me ? For who knows whether Achilles, the son of the fair- 
haired Thetis, may not first lose his life 4 , struck by my spear ?" 

Thus having spoken, he plucked the brazen weapon from the 
wound, pressing him with his heel ; and thrust him prostrate 5 
from the spear. Then immediately, with his lance, he went 865 
against Automedon, the godlike servant of the swift-footed de- 
scendant of iEacus, for he was eager to smite him. But the 
fleet immortal horses, which the gods gave to Peleus, splendid 
gifts, bore him quite away. 

9 Mind to the foolish. 

1 Destructive fate has slain me, and the son of Latona has slain me. 

2 Walk. 3 The finish— or fiat. 

4 May go before to lose his life. 5 Supine — on his back. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK XVII. 



ARGUMENT. 



A severe struggle for the body of Patroclus. Hector arms himself in Achilles' 
armour. Antilochus is dispatched to inform Achilles of the death of Patroclus, 
and Menelaus and Meriones bear away the body, whilst the Ajaxes cover their 
retreat. 

Nor was Patroclus, subdued in battle by the Trojans, unob- 
served by the son of Atreus, the warlike Menelaus ; and he ad- 
vanced through the foremost combatants, armed in shining brass. 
And round him then he stalked, like some dam round its young, 
5 having brought forth for the first time, moaning, not being before 
acquainted with parturition ; so stalked the yellow-haired Mene- 
laus round Patroclus. And before him he held his spear and 
shield every where equal, eager to slay the man, whoever should 
come against him. Nor was the son of Panthus, of the good 

10 ashen spear, unobservant of the illustrious Patroclus fallen ; but 
stood near him, and addressed the warlike Menelaus : 

" Menelaus, son of Atreus, noble-born, leader of people retire, 
and quit the body, and give up the bloody spoils; for none of 
the Trojans or their famous allies before me 1 smote Patroclus 
with the spear in the fierce battle. Wherefore suffer me to 

15 bear away the glorious fame among the Trojans, lest I strike 
thee, and take away thy sweet life." 

And to him the yellow-haired Menelaus, very indignant, said : 
" Oh ! father Jove, it is not well to boast too proudly. Neither 

20 the spirit of a panther aims at so much, nor of a lion, nor of a 
destructive wild boar, whose mighty soul within his breast rages 
greatly in its strength, as do the spear-skilled sons of Panthus 3 . 

1 i. e. I was the first. 
2 Nor does the force of the panther (sub. <p£W£i) think bo much, &c= — as th« 
sons of Panthus (<p£oveoytfi) think. 



ILIAD XVII— Y. 25—67. 289 

Yet the gallant, horse-taming Hyperenor enjoyed not his youth 3 , 25 
what time he insulted and awaited me, and said that I was the 
most contemptible warrior among the Danaans; nor, I think, 
did he, returning upon his feet, give pleasure to his beloved 
wife and venerable parents. So assuredly I will loosen thy 
strength too, if thou standest against me. Therefore, I advise 
thee to retire, and go into the throng — nor stand against me — 30 
before thou sufferest some evil. What is done even a fool 
knows 4 ." 

Thus he spake, but persuaded him not ; for, answering, he 
addressed him : ' ; Now, at last, O noble-born Menelaus, shalt 
thou surely pay the penalty for my brother, whom thou slewest : 35 
and now, boasting, dost talk of it; and didst widow his beloved 
spouse in the recess of her recent bridal chamber, and inflicted 
intolerable grief and sorrow upon his parents. Surely some 
alleviation of grief to them, miserable, should I be, if bearing 
back thy head and armour, I throw them into the hands of 40 
Pan thus and the noble Phrontis. No longer then shall the toil 
be untried, nor uncontested, of victory or of flight." 

So saying, he smote him upon the shield, on all sides equal, 
but pierced not the brass, for his point was bent in the strong 
shield : and Menelaus, the son of Atrcus, next attacked with 45 
his spear, after praying to father Jove. And he struck upon 
the lower part of his gullet as he stepped back 5 , and forced it 
onward, trusting to his strong hand ; and the point went quite 50 
through his soft neck. And, falling, he gave a sound, and his 
armour rang upon him. His locks, resembling the Graces, were 
wet with blood, and his curls, which were bound up with gold 
and silver. And as a man cherishes a blooming plant of olive, 55 
beautiful, flourishing, in a solitary spot, where water streams 
forth in abundance, and the breathings of all winds wave it, and. 
it blossoms with a white flower; and a wind, suddenly coming 
with a mighty blast, upturns it from the furrow, and stretches 
it upon the earth : such was the son of Panthus, the spear-skilled 
Euphorbus, whom, Menelaus, the son of Atreus, when he had slain 60 
him, plundered of his armour. And as when a lion, mountain- 
bred, confident in his strength, carries off from a grazing herd 
the cow which is best ; and breaks its neck first, seizing it in his 
strong teeth, and then, tearing it in pieces, laps up the blood 65 
and all the entrails; and dogs and shepherds around him, shout 
aloud at a distance, but will not go against him, for pale fear 

3 i. e. he died prematurely — in early manhood. 

1 i. e. experience teaches fools. He might take warning from the fate of his 
brother. s The gullet of him, stepping back. 

20 



290 ILIAD XVII — V. 68—107. 

holds them fast 6 ; so the spirit in the bosom of none of them 
dared to advance against the glorious Menelaus. Then would 

70 the son of Atreus have borne off with ease the famous armour of 
the son of Panthus, had not Phoebus Apollo envied him — he who, 
in the semblance of the hero Mentes, leader of the Ciconians, 
immediately urged against him Hector, equal to fleet Mars ; and, 
addressing him, uttered these winged words : 

75 " Hector, now thou thus runnest, pursuing 7 to no purpose the 
steeds of warlike iEacides. For they are difficult to be managed 
by mortal men, or to be driven by another besides Achilles, whom 
an immortal mother bore. Meanwhile Menelaus. son of warlike 

80 Atreus, protecting Patroclus, has slain the bravest of the Trojans, 

Euphorbus, son of Panthus, and put a stop to his vigorous might. 

So saying the god again went back amid the toil of men ; and 

deep grief oppressed Hector in his clouded mind. And then he 

85 gazed along the ranks, and at once observed the one bearing away 
the famous spoils, and the other lying upon the ground ; and the 
blood welled through the inflicted wound. And he advanced 
through the foremost combatants, armed in glittering brass, like 
to the inextinguishable flame of Vulcan, shouting aloud. Nor 
thus shouting aloud did he escape the son of Atreus 8 ; and then, 

90 inwardly groaning, thus he spake to his own brave spirit : 

" Ah me ! if I leave these rich spoils and Patroclus, who lies 
here for my honour 9 , I fear lest some of the Danaans who see it 
will blame me ; and if, being alone, I fight, through a sense of 

95 honour, with Hector and the Trojans, I fear also lest many sur- 
round me while alone. Hither, however, the plumed Hector is 
leading all the Trojans. But wherefore does my soul talk of 
these things ? Whenever a man desires, in opposition to a god, 
to fight with a hero, whom a god honours, some great disaster is 
100 quickly rolled upon him ; therefore no one of the Danaans will 
blame me, who sees me retiring from Hector, for he combats 
with the help of a god 1 . But if I could any where hear the 
shout of the gallant Ajax, together, again returning, we would 
be mindful of battle even against a god, that, if possible, we 
might snatch off the body for the sake of Achilles, son of Peleus ; 
i05 for that would be the best thing that could be done in our present 
troubles 2 .' 7 

Whilst he deliberated these things in his mind and in his souh 

6 Seizes them greatly. 

7 axr^rcc — adverbially — pursuing without any chance of overtaking," 

8 i. e. while thus shouting, he was observed by the son of Atreus. 

9 i. e. died in my cause. A. 159. * From a god. 
2 It would be the most bearable of (our) evils. 



' 



ILIAD XVII.— V. 108—147. 291 

the ranks of the Trojans, in the mean time, came on; and Hector 
led the way. And Meneiaus fell back, and quitted the corpse, 
looking round, like a long-bearded lion, which dogs and men 
drive from a fold with spears and clamour ; and his stout heart 110 
within his bosom shudders, and unwilling he departs from the 
pen : so the yellow-haired Meneiaus retired from Patroclus. 
Wheeling round, however, he stood, when he reached the column 
of his comrades, gazing about for the mighty Ajax, son of Tela- 115 
mon ; and him he very speedily marked upon the left of the 
whole battle, encouraging his comrades, and exciting them to the 
fight : for Phoebus Apollo had cast a heaven-sent terror among 
them. And he went towards him in haste, and immediately 
standing near, uttered this speech : 

u Ajax, hither, friend, let us hasten in defence of dead Patro- 120 
clus, and try if we can bear his naked body to Achilles ; for his 
armour the plumed Hector has gotten." 

Thus he spake, and roused the courage of the warlike Ajax ; 
and he advanced through the foremost combatants, and with him 
the yellow-haired Meneiaus. Hector, indeed, after he had 
stript off the noble armour, was dragging along Patroclus, that 125 
with his sharp sword 3 he might lop the head from the shoulders, 
and, carrying off the body, give it to the Trojan dogs; but Ajax 
came near, bearing his shield, like a tower. And Hector, back- 
ing, retreated into the throng of his comrades, and sprang into 130 
his car ; and he gave the handsome armour to the Trojans to 
carry to the city, to be a great glory to himself. And Ajax, 
covering Mencetiades around with his broad shield, stood like 
some lion over 4 her young ; against which, when leading her 
whelps, huntsmen rush together in the forest, and he rages in 135 
his might, and draws down all his eyebrows, covering his eyes : 
so Ajax strode round the hero Patroclus. And on the other side 
stood the son of Atreus, warlike Meneiaus, giving way to the 
deep grief in his bosom. 

And Glaucus, son of Hippolochus, leader of the Lycian war- 140 
riors, looking sternly at Hector, upbraided him in this severe 
speech : 

" Hector, best as to form, thou art in truth greatly wanting in 
battle 5 : surely without reason is thy fame great, skulker as thou 
art 6 . Consider now, how alone with the people who are natives 145 
in Ilium, thou canst preserve thy state and city, for none of the 
Lycians will any longer go to fight with the Danaans for thy 

3 Brass. * Round, or in defence o£ 

s fAa^Tjs — l, e , courage for battle. 

* He was retreating at the approach of Ajax and Meneiaus. 



292 ILIAD XVII.— V. 143—189. 

town ; for indeed there are no thanks for combatting ever in- 
cessantly amid hostile warriors. How indeed, hard-hearted, wilt 

150 thou preserve an inferior man, in the crowd, when thou didst 
abandon Sarpedon, at once thy guest and companion, to be a 
prey and booty to the Argives ; who, when alive, was a great 
advantage to thy city and thyself; and now thou darest not drive 
away the dogs from him. Wherefore now, if the Lycian war- 

155 riors 7 will be persuaded by me, we will go home ; and terrible 
destruction will soon come upon Troy. For if now there was 
in the Trojans that daring, determined valour which enters into 
heroes, who in defence of their country undertake toil, and com- 
bat against their foes, we might immediately drag Patroclus into 

160 Ilium. And were he, dead, to come into the vast city of king 
Priam, and could we drag him from the battle, soon would the 
Argives restore the beautiful-armour of Sarpedon, and we might 
carry himself into Troy ; for slain is the comrade of such a man, 

165 as is by far the bravest of the Argives at the ships, and whose 
servants are close-fighting combatants. But thou darest not 
stand against the brave Ajax, beholding his eyes amid the battle 
of the enemy, nor combat in opposition to him : for he is always 
more valiant than thou." 

And to him the plumed Hector, looking sternly, said : " Why 

IT'O dost such 8 a man as thou speak, Glaucus, thus proudly ? Truly, 
friend, I thought thou wert in understanding above all others ; 
who inhabit fertile Lycia ; but now I must find fault with thy 
understanding altogether, in what thou hast just spoken — since 

1^5 thou 9 sayest that I dare not abide the mighty Ajax. Never 
have I dreaded the battle, nor the tumult of horses ; but always 
superior is the counsel of asgis-bearing Jove, who puts to flight 
even the brave man, and easily takes from him the victory, even 
when he himself impels him to fight. Come hither then friend, 
stand by me, and behold my conduct 1 . Either I shall be an 

180 eternal 2 coward, as thou sayest, or I will stop some of the Da- 
naans, though very eager in valour, from the defence of dead 
Patroclus." 

So saying, he animated the Trojans, loudly exclaiming : u Ye 
Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting Dardans, be men, my 

-185 friends, and be mindful of your best energies, whilst I put on the 
beautiful armour of the illustrious Achilles, which I have taken 
as spoil, slaying the mighty Patroclus." 

Thus then having spoken, the plumed Hector departed from 
the glowing battle ; and, running, at no great distance, pursuing 

i vis Aw. s Being such— ». *. as to prudence. 9 c$ -ts. > Work. 

2 A coward all day, or every day. 






ILIAD XVII—V. 190—232. 293 

with rapid feat, very quickly overtook his comrades, who were 190 
bearing towards the city the noble armour of Achilles. Then 
standing apart from the tearful battle, he changed his armour. 
His own indeed he gave to the war-loving Trojans to carry to- 
wards sacred Ilium ; and he put on the immortal arms of Achilles, 195 
son of Peleus, which the heavenly gods had given to his beloved 
father, and he, afterwards, growing old, presented them to his 
own son ; but the son grew not old in the armour of his father. 

And him then, when the cloud-collecting Jove beheld, arrayed 
in the armour of the divine Pelides, shaking his head, he thus 200 
communed with his own mind : 

" Alas ! unhappy man, the death, which is now at hand to 
thee, is not in thy mind ; and thou puttest on the immortal 
armour of the bravest hero, whom others also tremble at ; whose 
companion thou hast now slain, a hero both gentle and brave, 
and hast insultingly 3 stript the armour from his head and shoul- 205 
ders. Nevertheless I will at present bestow upon thee a great 
victory, as a compensation for these things, because Andromache 
will never receive from thee, returning from battle, the noble 
armour of the son of Peleus." 

The son of Saturn spake, and moreover nodded with his dark 
brows. And the armour fitted the body of Hector, and Mars, 210 
the horrid warrior, entered into him. And his limbs were then 
filled within with vigour and strength, and he went among the 
illustrious allies, shouting aloud ; and to all of them he appeared, 
glittering in his armour, like the brave son of Peleus. And 215 
going among them, he animated each with his words, Mesthles, 
and Glaucus, and Medon, and Thersilochus, and Asteropaeus, and 
Deisenor, and Hippothous, and Phorcys, and Chromius, and 
Ennomus the augur. These exhorting, he addressed in winged 
words : 

"Hear, ye numerous troops of allies, dwelling around, for I 221' 
assembled ye not here, each from your own cities, seeking or de- 
siring a multitude; but that ye might promptly defend for. me 
the wives and young children of the Trojans from the warlike 
Achasans. Thinking thus 4 , I exhaust my people by gifts to, 225 
you, and provisons, and satisfy the desire of each of you. Where- 
fore now let every one, turning right against the enemy, either 
perish or be saved ; for that is the business of war. And who- 
soever shall drag Patroclus, although dead, among the horse- 230 
taming Trojans, and to whomsoever Ajax shall yield, to him I 
will present one-half of the spoils, and will myself retain the 
other half; and to him shall be as much glory as to myself." 

3 Not according to propriety. 4 u e. with this view — or, for this purpose. 



294 ILIAD XVIL— V. 233-275. 

Thus he spake ; and lifting their spears, they advanced with 
impetuosity right against the Danaans ; and their souls hoped 

235 to drag away the corpse from Teiamonian Ajax — foolish men — 
truly upon it (the corpse) he took away the life of many. And 
Ajax then addressed Menelaus, brave m battle : 

" O my friend, O noble-born Menelaus, no longer do I expect 
that we shall ourselves return from battle. Not so much do I 

240 fear for the dead body of Patroclus, which will soon glut the dogs 
and birds of the Trojans, as I fear for my own head, lest it suffer 
aught, and for thine ; for Hector, that cloud of war, covers all 

245 things round 5 ; and to us again terrible destruction becomes 
manifest. Come then, summon the bravest of the Danaans, if 
any one will hear." 

Thus he spake, nor did the gallant Menelaus refuse ; and he 
shouted, crying with a loud voice, among the Danaans : 

"O friends, leaders and chieftains of the Argives, who beside 
the Atrides, Agamemnon and Menelaus, drink the public ivine 6 , 

250 and give orders each to his forces, and whom honour and glory 
attend from Jove 7 . It were, indeed, a hard matter for me to 
look up each of the leaders, because so great a contest of war is 
raging. But let each himself advance, and let him feel indigna- 

255 tion in his mind, that Patroclus should be the sport of Trojan 
dogs." 

Thus he spake ; and swift Ajax, son of Oileus, quickly heard, 
and first went to meet 8 him, running through the battle ; and 
after him came Iclomeneus, and Meriones, the armour-bearer of 
Idomeneus, equal to Mars, the slayer of men. But who in his 

260 mind might tell the names of the others as many of the Achseans 
as afterwards stirred up the fight ? And the Trojans in close 
order first charged, and Hector led them on. 

And as when at the mouths of a nobly-flowing river the 

265 mighty billow roars against the stream, and the extreme shores 
around bellow, the sea dashing out upon the land — so great arose 
the clamour of the Trojans. And the Achseans stood round the 
son of Menoetius, with one mind, protected 9 by their brazen 

270 shields ; and over their glittering helmets the son of Saturn 
poured much darkness. For neither before was he hostile to 
Menoetiades, whilst alive, when he was the attendant of Achilles ; 
nor did he then hate him so as to become a prey to the Trojan 
dogs of his enemies ; and therefore he excited his comrades to 

275 defend him. But the Trojans first repulsed the brave Achseans: 

5 Or — Hector covers — or throws the cloud of war round all. 

* I. e. at the public cost. ' A 97. 8 avnog — opposite. 

9 Hedged — forming a line. 






ILIAD XVII. —V. 276—317. 295 

and they leaving the body, fell back ; nor did the brave Trojans, 
eager as they were, slay any of them with their spears, but 
dragged away the body. A little while only, however, were the 
Achseans to be away from him, for Ajax very speedily rallied 
them — he who next to the renowned son of Peleus, was superior 280 
to the other Danaans in person and in deeds. And he burst 
right through the foremost combatants, in might resembling a 
wild boar, which, in the mountains, easily scatters the dogs and 
vigorous youths, turning to the attack, through the glens ; so the 
son of noble Telamon, illustrious Ajax. charging, easily routed 
the phalanxes of the Trojans who surrounded 1 Patroclus, and 285 
were in full expectation 2 to drag him towards their city, and to 
bear away renown. Him, in the mean time. Hippothous, the 
distinguished son of Pelasgian Lethus, was dragging by the foot 
through the brave battle, having bound him with a thong at the 290 
ankle round the sinews, gratifying Hector and the Trojans. But 
evil soon came upon him, which no one of them, though eager, 
warded off from him : for the son of Telamon, rushing through 
the crowd, close to him, smote him through the brazen-cheeked 
helmet. And the helmet, crested with horse-hair, was cleft by 395 
the point of the weapon, smitten by the mighty spear, and a 
powerful hand, and the bloody brain spouted from the wound, 
beside the cone 3 ; and then his strength was loosened. And from 
his hand he dropped the foot of the brave Patroclus to lie upon 300 
the earth, and himself near it {the foot) fell prone upon the 
corse, far from fertile Larissa : nor to his beloved parents did he 
make return for his support, for short was the life of him, sub- 
dued by the spear of the brave Ajax. And Hector again hurled 
his shining spear at Ajax ; but he, seeing it coming, avoided, by 305" 
a small space, the brazen javelin ; for Hector hit Schedius, son of 
brave Iphitus, by far the bravest of the Phoceans who inhabited 
mansions in the renowned Panopeus, governing many men. Him 
he struck in the middle of the clavicle, and the brazen point of 
the weapon went quite through at the extremity of the shoul- 310 
der ; and falling, he gave a sound, and his arms rang over him. 
And Ajax, again, struck upon the middle of the belly the war- 
like Phorcys, son of Phaenops, while defending Hippothous. 
And he burst the cavity of his corslet, and the weapon drank 
his entrails through it; and falling amid the dust, he grasped 315 
the earth with his palm. And back fell the foremost combatants 
and illustrious Hector: and the Argives loudly shouted, and 

1 Who went round. 2 Most (or fully) thought. 

3 The part of the helmet in which the crest was inserted — unless auXov be taken 
metaphorically, and by tfct^' auXov be meant the stream of blood, as from a pipe. 



296 ILIAD XVII.— Y. 318—358. 

dragged away the bodies, both Phorcys and Hippothous, and 
stripped the armour from the shoulders. 

320 Then again would the Trojans, routed by the warlike Achaaans, 
have gone into Ilium, subdued through their cowardice ; and the 
Argives, by their own valour and might, would have obtained 
glory even in spite of the destiny of Jove • but Apollo himself — 
like in person to Periphas the herald, son of Epytis, who in his 

325 mind knowing kind counsels 4 , had grown old, as a herald, with 
his aged father — stirred up JEneas. In the likeness of him, 
Apollo, son of Jove, addressed him : 

" JEneas, O that ye would defend the lofty Ilium, even against 
a god, as I have before seen other men do, trusting in their 

330 bravery, their might, and manhood, and their number, even with 
far inferior troops! And to us, much more than to the Danaans, 
Jove wills the victory ; but it is ye yourselves who are quite 
panic-struck, and fight not." 

Thus he spake ; and iEneas, seeing him before him, recognised 
the far-darting Apollo ; and loudly shouting, addressed Hector : 

335 " O Hector, and ye other leaders of the Trojans and allies, this 
now is indeed disgrace, to be driven 5 into Ilium by the warlike 
Achseans, subdued by our own cowardice ; for again one of the 
gods, standing near me, declares, that Jove the high counsellor 
is our assistant in the battle. Therefore let us march right 

340 against the Danaans, nor let them, undisturbed 6 , remove the 
dead Patroclus to the ships." 

Thus he spake, and then springing forward, stood far in front 
of the foremost combatants. And they rallied 7 , and confronted 
the Danaans. Then, again iEneas wounded with his spear 

345 Leocritus, son of Arisbas, the gallant comrade of Lycomedes. 
And him thus falling, the warlike Lycomedes pitied, and advanc- 
ing very near, he stood, and darted with his shining spear, and 
smote Apisaon, son of Hippasus, a shepherd of people, upon the 
liver, below the chest, and immediately loosened his limbs beneath 

350 him. He had come from fertile Pasonia, and, next to Asteropaeus, 
was the bravest in battle 8 . And him thus falling, the warlike 
Asteropaeus pitied, and forward he sprang, prompt to combat 
with the Danaans. Yet was he no longer able, for those stand- 
ing around Patroclus were hedged round in every direction 

355 with shields, and held their spears before them ; for Ajax went 
eagerly among all, animating them greatly. He gave orders that 
neither any should fall back from, the body, nor any of the Achas- 
ans fight in front before the rest, but vigorously to protect 9 it, 

4 i. e. out of filial regard. 5 To go into — i, e. made to go into. 6 Quiet. 

7 Were turned. 8 Was the bravest to fight. 9 But to go much about him . 



ILIAD XVIL-V. 360—404. 297 

and to combat hand to hand. Thus the mighty Ajax gave com- 360 
mand ; and the ground was drenched with purple blood, for one 
upon another fell the bodies of the Trojans and courageous allies, 
and of the Danaans: for neither did they fight bloodlessly, 
although far fewer perished, because they were always mindful 
throughout the throng to repel severe toil from one another. 365 

Thus indeed they fought like a fire, nor wouldst thou have 
said that either sun or moon was safe, for in the combat they 
were wrapt in darkness, as many of the bravest as stood round 
the dead Menoetiades. But the other Trojans and well-armed 370 
Achseans fought free beneath a clear atmosphere ; and the sharp 
splendour of the sun was extended over them, and there ap- 
peared not a cloud over all the earth or the mountains. Ceasing 
occasionally, they fought, shunning each others' grievous wea- 
pons, and standing far apart ; whilst those in the centre suffered 375 
distresses from darkness and from war, and were afflicted with 
the fierce sword, as many as were the bravest. 

And two warriors, glorious men, Thrasymedes and Antilochus, 
had not yet heard of the renowned Patroclus dying ; but sup- 
posed that, still alive, he was fighting with the Trojans in the 380 
foremost throng. For they, providing against the slaughter and 
rout of their comrades, fought apart 1 , since Nestor had so com- 
manded, urging others on to battle from the black ships. But 
to the rest all day the mighty contest of severe battle arose ; and 385 
ever ceaselessly the knees, and the legs, and the feet of each 
under him, and the hands and the eyes of those combating round 
the brave comrade of the swift-footed JEacides, were defiled with 
fatigue and sweat. And as when a man gives the skin of a huge 
ox, soaked with oil, to his people to stretch 2 , and they, receiving, 390 
stretch it, standing asunder in a circle, and immediately the 
moisture comes out, and the oil enters 3 , many pulling it, till it is 
all thoroughly stretched ; so they, on both sides, dragged the 
body here and there, within a small space ; for the mind of the 395 
Trojans, on the one hand, eagerly desired to drag him towards 
Ilium, and of the Achseans, on the other, towards the hollow barks. 
And round him a wild tumult arose ; neither would Mars, the 
exciter of troops, nor Minerva, beholding it, have found fault, 
even although anger had particularly seized her ; such destruc- 400 
tive toil of men and horses Jove extended on that day over 
Patroclus. Nor as yet did the noble Achilles at all know that 
Patroclus was dead ; for, far from the swift ships, they fought 
under the wall of the Trojans. Wherefore never did he sup- 

1 i. e. from those who were fighting round Patroclus. 

2 i. e. instead of pegging it on the ground. 3 *'. e. into the pores. 



298 ILIAD XVII.— V. 405-^445. 

405 pose in his mind that he was dead ; but that, after approaching 
the gates, he would return back alive, since he did not at all ex- 
pect that without him, nor with him, he would destroy the city ; 
for he had frequently learned this from his mother, hearing it 
in secret, who used to tell him the design of mighty Jove. Then 

410 however did his mother not tell to him so great an evil as had 
happened, that the comrade, by far most dear to him, had per- 
ished. 

And ever round the body, holding their sharp spears, they 
charged incessantly, and slaughtered one another, and thus some 4 
of the brazen-mailed Achseans said : 

415 " O, friends, surely it will not be honourable for us to retreat 
to the hollow ships ; rather let the black earth here yawn for 
all. That would be at once better for us, than to leave him to 
the Trojans, tamers of steeds, to drag to their city, and to obtain 
glory." 

420 And thus also some of the brave Trojans said : 

" O friends, even if it be our fate for all to be subdued to- 
gether, beside this man, never let any one retire from the battle." 
So then some said, and roused the valour of their comrades. 
Thus they fought ; and an iron crash reached through the 

425 unfruitful air to the brazen heaven. And the horses of iEacides 
being apart from tne combat, wept, when first they perceived 
that their charioteer had fallen in the dust, beneath Hector, 
slayer of heroes. Automedon, indeed, the brave son of Diores, 
urged them much, flogging them with the sharp lash, and often 

430 addressed them in soothing terms, and often with threats; but 
they chose neither to go back towards the ships and the wide 
Hellespont, nor to battle among the Achseans ; but, as a pillar 

435 remains immoveable, which stands at the tomb of a dead man or 
woman, so remained they keeping the splendid car without mo- 
tion, and bending their heads to the earth. And hot tears flowed 
from their eyes to the earth, as they complained for the loss of 
their charioteer 5 ; and the thick mane of both was defiled, flow- 

440 ing down on both sides from the collar at the yoke. And the 
son of Saturn beholding them lamenting, felt compassion, and 
shaking his head, spoke thus to himself 6 : 

"Ah! wretched pair; why did we give you to Peleus, a 
mortal king, for ye are exempt from old age and death 7 ? Was 

445 it that ye might endure sorrows with unhappy men ? For 

* Tig — indefinitely. 

5 The tears flowed warmly from their eyes to the earth, to them complaining, 
from desire of their charioteer. 6 To his own mind. 

7 But ye are free from age, and immortal. 






ILIAD XVII. -V. 44G— 438. 299 

nothing is there more subject to calamity than man, of all things, 
as many as breathe and crawl upon the earth. Nevertheless, 
Hector, son of Priam, shall not be carried by you, and in your 
curiously-wrought car, for I will not allow it. Is it not enough 
that he both possesses the armour and boasts in this way ? I 450 
will put vigour therefore into your knees and souls, that ye may 
carry Automedon safely from the battle to the hollow ships ; for 
I shall still give glory to them {the Trojans) to slay, until they 
reach the well-benched ships, and the sun set, and sacred dark- 455 
ness comes on." 

So saying, he breathed strong vigour into the steeds : and 
they, shaking the dust from their manes to the ground, quickly 
bore the rapid car among the Trojans and Achgeans. And against 
them {Trojans) fought Automedon, grieved for his comrade, 
rushing along with the horses, like an eagle among geese. For 460 
easily did he both escape from the tumult of the Trojans, and 
easily, when pursuing, did he charge through the mighty throng. 
Yet he slew not men when he rushed in pursuit 8 : for it Was not 
possible for him, being alone in the sacred car, to attack with his 465 
spear, and to control the fleet horses. But at last, a comrade, the 
hero Alcimedon, son of Laerceus, son of iEmon, beheld him 
with his eyes ; and he stood behind the car, and addressed Auto- 
medon : 

" Which of the gods, O Automedon, hast put this foolish 
scheme in thy bosom, and taken from thee thy good senses ? 470 
How canst thou thus alone fight in the foremost throng with the 
Trojans ? For thy comrade is slain ; and Hector himself, with 
the armour of Achilles upon his shoulders, is exulting." 

And to him, in reply, Automedon, the son of Diores, said : 
*•' Alcimedon, what other of the Achaeans is equal to thee to con- 475 
trol the spirit 9 of immortal horses, save Patroclus, whilst alive, 
in skill equal to the gods ? And now, on the contrary, death and 
fate possess him. Do thou then take the lash and beautiful reins, 
and I will dismount from the horses.to fight 1 ." 480 

Thus he spake, and Alcimedon, ascending the chariot, rapid in 
war, forthwith took in his hands the lash and reins, and Auto- 
medon sprang down : and illustrious Hector marked, and imme- 
diately addressed iEneas, who was near 2 . 

" iEneas, counsellor of the brazen-mailed Trojans, I have 485 
observed these steeds of Achilles proceeding through the battle 
with unskillful charioteers. Therefore I may hope to capture 
them, if thou wilt kelp me 3 ; for they will not dare, standing 

8 To pursue. 9 To have the control and spirit — or strength, &c. 

1 i. e. on foot. 2 Being near. 8 Wouldst with thy mind. 



300 ILIAD XVII. — V. 490—531. 

490 against us, to engage in combat with us both rushing upon them. 5 '" 

Thus he spake : nor did the brave son of Anchises disobey. 

Both straight advanced, having their shoulders covered with 

bulls' hides, dry, thick : and upon them much brass was plated 4 . 

And along with them went both Chromius and the godlike 

495 Aretus ; and their minds greatly hoped to slay the warriors, and 
to drive away the lofty-necked horses. Fools ; for they were 
then not without blood to return from Automedon ; for he ; 
praying to Father Jove, was filling his dark 5 mind with courage 

500 and strength, and immediately addressed Alcimedon, his faithful 
comrade : 

" Keep not now, O Alcimedon, the steeds far from me, but 
breathing closely at my back ; for I suspect that Hector, the son 
of Priam, will not desist from his might, before, having slain 

505 both of us, he mount the beautiful horses of Achilles, and put to 
rout the ranks of Argive heroes ;• or himself be slain among the 
foremost." 

So saying, he called upon the Ajaxes and Menelaus : " Ye 
Ajaxes, leaders of the Argives, and Menelaus, commit the dead 

510 body to those who are bravest, to defend it on all sides 6 , and to 
repulse the ranks of men ; but ward ye off the cruel day from 
us two who are alive. For hither press through the tearful bat- 
tle Hector and iEneas, who are the mightiest of the Trojans. 

515 But these matters truly rest upon the knees 7 of the gods ; and 
therefore I also will dart, and all these things will be the care 
of Jove 8 ." 

He said ; and, brandishing, hurled his long spear, and struck 
upon the shield of Aretus, every where equal, which repelled 
not the spear, but the brass pierced it quite, and passed through 

520 the belt into the bottom of his belly. And as when a vigorous 
man, holding a sharp axe, cuts through the whole tendon, strik- 
ing behind the horns of a wild bull, and springing forward, it 
falls ; so he springing forward, fell flat ; and the sharp-cutting 

525 spear, quivering in his entrails, relaxed his limbs. And Hector 
hurled his shining spear at Automedon ; but he, observing it com- 
ing, avoided the brazen weapon, for he stooped forward. And 
the long spear was fixed in the ground behind him : and the butt 

530 of the spear shook ; and there the strong spear then spent its 
force. And now would they have charged hand to hand with their 

4 And much brass was drawn over — i. e. many a plate of brass was laid upon 
them. ° Dark all round. 6 To walk round it in defence. 

7 The image must have been in a sitting posture — the knees were touched by 
the supplicant — or offerings were laid upon them. 

8 i. e. I will throw, and let Jove determine as he will. 



ILIAD XYIL— V. 532—571. 301 

swords, had not the fierce 9 Ajaxes separated them, who came 
through the throng at the call of their comrade. Back again re- 
tired Hector and iEneas, and the godlike Chromius, very fearful 
of these, and left Aretus lying there with his heart cleft asunder 1 : 535 
and Automedon, equal to swift Mars, stript him of his armour, and, 
boasting, uttered this speech : 

" Surely now I have in a small degree freed my heart from 
sorrow for the dead son of Menoetius, although I have killed 2 
l)ut an inferior person." 

So saying, and seizing the bloody spoils, he laid them in the 540 
car, and mounted himself, with his feet, and hands above stained 
with blood, like some lion which has devoured a bull 3 . And 
again over Patroclus was stretched a direful battle, severe, la- 
mentable ; and Minerva animated the fight, descending from 545 
heaven, for the far-sounding Jove sent her forth to stir up the 
Danaans, for at last his mind was turned this way. Like the 
purple rainbow which Jove stretches from heaven over mortals, 
to be a sign either of war, or even of a chilling storm ; which 
causes men to cease from their works upon the earth, and dis- 550 
tresses the cattle ; so she, shrouding herself in a purple cloud, 
entered the army of the Achaeans, and animated every man. 
And first she addressed the son of Atreus, the gallant Menelaus, 
exciting him, for he perchance was near her, assimilating her 
form and unwearied voice to Phcenix : 555 

" Shame and disgrace now will surely be thine 4 , O Menelaus, 
if the swift dogs tear the faithful comrade of the illustrious 
Achilles beneath the wall of the Trojans ; therefore hold on 
bravely, and urge on all the people." 

And her, in return, the gallant Menelaus addressed : K Phce- 560 
nix, father, sage of other days 5 , O that Minerva would give me 
strength, and would stem the force of the weapons. Then in- 
deed would I myself be willing to stand near, and to defend 
Patroclus ; for greatly has he, dying, distressed my mind. But 
Hector has the dreadful force of fire, nor ceases from slaughter- 565 
ing with his spear : for Jove bestows upon him glory." 

Thus he spake ; and the blue-eyed goddess Minerva rejoiced, 
because to her first, of all the gods, he had offered a petition. 
And in his shoulders and knees she put strength, and placed in 
his bosom the daring of a fly, which although often driven away 570 
from a human body persists in biting, for the blood of man is 



9 The Ajaxes eager. l Cleft as to his heart. 2 Killing an inferior. 

3 Bloody as to his feet and hands above, like some lion, having quite eaten a 
bull. 4 Be to thee. 5 Old man born long ago. 



302 ILIAD XVII.--V. 573—6 10. 

sweet is sweet to it 6 . With such confidence she filled his dark 
bosom 7 ; and he advanced towards Patroclus, and threw his glit- 

575 tering spear. And there was among the Trojans one Podes, 
son of Eetion, rich and brave ; and Hector particularly honoured 
him among his people, for he was his beloved companion at the 
board. Him then the yellow-haired Menelaus smote upon the 

580 belt when hastening to fight, and drove the weapon quite 
through. And he, falling, gave a sound, and Menelaus, son of 
Atreus, dragged away the body from among the Trojans to the 
column of his comrades. 

And Apollo animated Hector, standing near him in the like- 
ness of Phoenops, the son of Asius, who, inhabiting mansions at 
Abydos, was dearest to him of all his foreign friends. To him 

585 having assimilated himself, the far-darting Apollo addressed 
him : 

" Hector, what other of the Achseans will any more fear thee? 
How is it that thou hast now fled from Menelaus, who formerly 
was but an effeminate warrior, but now departs, bearing off 
alone a dead body from among the Trojans, and has slain, among 

590 the foremost combatants, Podes, son of Eetion, thy comrade, 
faithful and brave/' 

Thus he spake ; and a dark cloud of anguish enveloped Hec- 
tor ) and he went among the foremost combatants, armed in glit- 
tering brass. 

And the son of Saturn seized his fringed, splendid iEgis, and 
wrapt Ida in clouds : and darting his lightning, he thundered 

595 very loudly ; and shook it, and gave victory to the Trojans, and 
routed the Achrcans. 

First Peneleus, the Boeotian, began the flight: for he was 
wounded slightly on the top of the shoulder with a spear, ever 

000 turning towards the front ; and the spear of Polydamas grazed 
the bone, for, coming near, he had smitten him. Next Hector 
wounded Le'ftus, son of the brave Alectryon, in the hand by the 
wrist, and made him- cease from combat. And fearful he fled, 
gazing around, for he no longer hoped in his mind to fight with 

605 the Trojans, holding a spear in his hand. And Idomeneus struck 
Hector upon the corslet, at the breast, near the pap, while pur- 
suing after Le'itus. And the long spear snapped at the juncture 
of the point and shaft 8 ; and the Trojans shouted ; and Hector 
cast at Idomeneus, son of Deucalion, standing in his chariot. 

610 From him he erred a little ; but struck Cceranus, the comrade 

6 i. e. He is attracted by its sweetness. 

7 She filled him as to his bosom, dark around. 

8 The place where the wood and steel are joined. 



ILIAD XVIL— V. 611—651. 303 

and driver of Meriones, who had followed him from well-inhab- 
ited Lyctus. For at first, leaving the ships impelled on both 
sides by oars, he (Idomeneus) had come on foot, and would have 
given great glory" to the Trojans, had not Coeranus speedily 615 
driven up his fleet horses. And he arrived as a means of safety 
to him, and repelled the cruel day ; but he himself lost his lite 
by the hand of the man-slaying Hector. Him he {Hector) smote 
under the cheek and ear, and the extremity of the javelin 
dashed out his teeth, and cut through the middle of his tongue. 
And he fell from the chariot, and the reins dropped upon the 6% 
ground : and Meriones, bending down, took them in his hands 
from the plain, and addressed Idomeneus: 

B Xow drive 9 till thou comest to the swift ships : for even 
thou thyself perceivest that victory is no longer with the Adr- 
ians." 

Thus he spake, and Idomeneus lashed the fair steeds towards 
the hollow ships, for fear had now fallen upon his mind. Nor 625 
did Jove escape 1 the brave Ajax and Menelaus, when now he 
sent Victory 2 an auxiliary to the Trojans ; and the mighty Tela- 
monian Ajax began speaking in these words : 

" Alas ! even he who is quite a fool may now know, that father 
Jove himself helps the Trojans. For the weapons of all of them 630 
hit their mark, whoever hurls them, good or bad ; and Jove, 
without doubt, guides them all aright; whilst all ours fall quite 
ineffectual to the earth. Come then, let us ourselves deliberate 
upon the best plan, both how we may drag away the body, and 635 
ourselves may return and gladden 3 our beloved comrades, who 
perhaps are grieving, looking hither, nor longer expect that we 
can withstand the might and invincible hands of Hector, the 
slayer of men, but must fall back upon the black ships. Would 640 
that there were some comrade who would carry a message with 
all speed to the son of Peleus ; for I do not think he has yet 
learned the sad intelligence, that his dear comrade has perished. 
But no where can I behold such a man among the Acha?ans, for 
they and their steeds are alike enveloped in darkness. O father 645 
Jove, free thou the sons of the Achasans from darkness, and 
make a clear atmosphere, and grant us to see with our eyes ; and 
in light even destroy us, since thus it is thy pleasure." 

Thus he spake ; and the father felt compassion for him weep- 
ing, and immediately dissipated the darkness, and removed the 
cloud. And the sun shone forth, and the whole battle was dis- 650 
played ; and Ajax then addressed the gallant Menelaus : 

9 Now drive with the lash. I Nor did Jove elude the observation o£ 

2 Gave — Victory is personified. 3 We returning may be a joy to, &c. 



304 ILIAD XVIL— V. 652—695. 

" Look around now, noble-born Menelaus, if any where thou 
canst behold, yet alive, Antilochus, the son of brave Nestor. And 
urge him to go quick, and tell to the warlike Achilles, that the 

°55 comrade, by far most dear to him, has perished." 

Thus he spake ; nor did the gallant Menelaus refuse. And 
he hastened to go, like some lion from a fold, which — when he 
grows weary, attacking dogs and men, who, watching all night, 
suffer him not to carry off the fat oxen 4 , and he, eager for food 5 

660 pushes on, but profits not aught ; for many javelins fly against 
him from daring hands, and blazing torches, which, eager as he 
is, he dreads — in the morning departs away with a sorrowing 

665 mind. So, most unwilling, from Patroclus went the brave Men- 
elaus : for he greatly feared lest the Achseans, through afflicting 
terror, should leave him a prey to the enemy. Much, therefore, 
he exhorted Meriones and the Ajaxes : 

"Ye Ajaxes, leaders of the Argives, and Meriones, now let 
every one be mindful of the kindness of the unhappy Patroclus. 

670 For when alive, he understood how to be gentle to all : now, on 
the contrary, death and fate possess him.'^. 

Thus then having spoken, the yellow-haired Menelaus de- 
parted, gazing round in all directions, like an eagle, which, they 

675 say, sees the sharpest of towering birds, and which, though being 
aloft, the swift-footed hare eludes not, when sitting below the 
leafy copse ; but he pounces upon it, and quickly seizing it, de- 

680 prives it of life. So, O Jove-supported Menelaus, were thy 
shining eyes turned round in all directions through the army of 
thy numerous comrades, searching if any where thou couldst 
behold the son of Nestor yet alive. And him very speedily he 
marked upon the left of all the battle, animating his comrades, 
and urging them to fight ; and standing near, yellow-haired 
Menelaus addressed him : 

685 " Come hither 6 , O Antilochus, noble-born hero, that thou mayst 
learn the sad intelligence, which ought not to have been. I 
suppose that even thou thyself, beholding it, art now aware that 
a god rolls disaster upon the Danaans, and that victory is the 
Trojans': for Patroclus, the bravest of the Aclneans, is slain, and 

690 great sorrow has befallen the Danaans. Do thou then tell it 

quickly to Achilles, running to the ships of the Achaeans, and 

see if he will rescue and bring the naked body, with all haste, to 

his ship ; for as to the armour, the plumed Hector possesses it." 

Thus he spake ; and Antilochus shuddered with horror, hear- 

695 ing the intelligence. And long did a want of words hold him ; 

4 The fatness of the oxen. 5 Flesh. 

6 si <$', &c. — if you please, come, &c. 



ILIAD XVII.— V. 696—736. 305 

and his eyes were filled with tears, and his liquid voice was 
checked. Yet not even thus did he disregard the command of 
Menelaus ; hut hastened to run, and gave his armour to Laodo- 
cus, his good comrade, who managed, near at hand the solid-hoofed 700 
horses. Him, weeping, his feet bore from the combat, to report 
the evil tidings to Achilles, son of Peleus. 

Nor, O noble-born Menelaus, was thy mind willing to assist 
the harassed comrades from whom Antilochus had departed, and 
great want of him was occasioned to the Pylians ; but he (Mene- 
laus) committed them to the charge of the noble Thrasymedes, 705 
and went again himself towards the hero Patroclus ; and run- 
ning, he stood beside the Ajaxes, and immediately addressed 
them : 

" Him, indeed, I have now dispatched to the swift ships, to 
go to Achilles, fleet of foot: yet I do not think that he will now 
come, greatly enraged though he be with the noble Hector, for 710 
without his armour 7 he cannot fight with the Trojans.' Let 
even us then ourselves deliberate upon the best plan, both as 
to how we shall preserve the body, and how ourselves escape 
death and fate from the shouting of the Trojans." 

And him answered then the mighty Telamonian Ajax : 715 
" Thou hast said all things, O renowned Menelaus, with pro- 
priety. Do thou then and Meriones, stooping under it with all 
haste, raising the dead body, bear it from the fight ; and we both 
of the same name, with equal courage, who hitherto sustain the 
sharp conflict, remaining by each other, will combat in your rear 720 
with the Trojans and the noble Hector." 

Thus he spake ; and they lifted up the immense 8 body in their 
arms aloft from the ground ; and the Trojan army shouted in 
their rear when they beheld the Achasans raising the corpse, 
and rushed on like dogs, which spring upon a wounded boar in 725 
front of the youthful huntsmen. For sometime they run eager 
to tear him, but again when he turns upon them, trusting in his 
might, they fall back, and fearfully fly one one way, and one 
another : so the Trojans sometimes pursued in a body, striking 730 
with their swords and double pointed spears ; but when again 
the Ajaxes wheeling around upon them, stood, then was their 
colour changed, and no one dared, charging forward, to combat 
for the corpse. 

Thus they with alacrity bore the body from the fight towards 735 
the hollow ships ; and after them spread the wild battle, like a 

7 Being naked. 

s f^aXa psyukus — the latter word must be supposed to refer to the size of the 
hero. 

21 



306 ILIAD XVII— V. 738—761. 

flame, which, suddenly kindled, sets fire to a city of men, rushing 
upon it, and the houses diminish in the mighty blaze ; and the 

740 force of the wind roars through it : so upon them, when depart- 
ing, followed a horrid tumult of steeds and warlike heroes. And 
as mules, exerting their vast strength 9 , drag from a mountain 
along a rugged path either a beam, or a large piece of mast- 
timber for ship-building, and the spirit within them, as they 

745 toil 1 , is worn out at once with labour and sweat : so they with 
alacrity 2 bore away the corse, and the Ajaxes behind them kept 
in check the enemy, — as a mound of wood, stretched right across 
a plain, restrains water, which checks even the furious courses 

750 of rapid rivers, and immediately turning them, directs the streams 
of all into the plain, nor can they at all burst through it, though 
flowing with violence. So the Ajaxes in the rear always re- 
pulsed the battle of the Trojans ; but they followed along with 
them, and amongst them two in particular, iEneas, son of 

^^ Anchises, and illustrious Hector. And as a cloud of starlings or 
jackdaws, screaming from fright, fly away, when they see a hawk 
approaching, which brings death to small birds— so then from 
iEneas and Hector departed the sons of the Achceans, fearfully 
shouting, and were neglectful of the fight. 

7"60 And much beautiful armour of the flying Danaans fell in and 
round the ditch ; but there was not a cessation of battle. 

9 Possibly invested with vast strength. 

> To them toiling. 2 Eager. 



^_^_ 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK XVIII. 



ARGUMENT. 



Thetis comforts her son, and promises to procure new armour for him from Vul- 
can. By command of Juno, Achilles shows himself to the Trojans, who are 
panic-struck, and fly at his appearance. Vulcan forges the armour for Achilles. 

Thus they were fighting like to a blazing fire : and Antilo- 
chus ; the swift-footed messenger, came to Achilles. And him 
he found in front of his high-prowed ships, revolving within his 
mind what had already happened ; and then groaning he com- 5 
muned wifh his own noble mind : 

" Ah me ! why again are the long-haired Achasans driven back 
in confusion to the ships, flying along the plain ? 1 fear, lest 
the gods are now accomplishing evil sorrows for my soul 1 , as my 
mother once informed me, and told me, that the bravest man of 
the Myrmidons, whilst I was still alive, would leave the light of 10 
the sun, by the hands of the Trojans. Too surely now the 
brave unhappy son of Menoetius is dead : though I commanded 
him, after repulsing the hostile fire, to come back to the ships, 
and not to fight bravely with Hector/' 

Whilst he was revolving these things in his mind and in his 15 
soul, the son of illustrious Nestor drew near, shedding hot tears, 
and delivered his sad message : 

" Alas ! son of warlike Peleus, thou wilt indeed hear very 
distressing intelligence, which ought not to have been. Patro- 
clus lies dead ; and round his naked body they are now fighting, 20 
and that armour of thine the plumed Hector possesses."' 

Thus he spake ; and a black cloud of grief enveloped him 
{Achilles), and seizing the burnt ashes with both hands, he 

1 Or — may the gods not be accomplishing, &c. 



308 ILIAD XVIIL— V. 24—65. 

poured them on his head, and defiled his beautiful countenance ; 

25 and the dark ashes stuck every where on his rich tunic. And 
he, mighty, lay stretched at his vast length 2 among the ashes, 
and disordered his hair, tearing it out with his hands. And the 
hand-maids whom Achilles and Patroclus had taken among the 

30 spoils, grieved in their soul, shrieked aloud, and ran out of the 
door round the warlike Achilles ; and all beat their breasts with 
their hands, and the limbs of each were relaxed under them 3 . 
And Antilochus on the other side, lamented, shedding tears, and 
holding the hands of Achilles — and he 4 groaned within his gen- 
erous heart — for he was afraid he would cut his throat with his 

35 sword. And dreadfully, did he howl, and his divine mother 
heard him, while sitting in the depths of the sea beside her 
aged father, and then she shrieked ; and all the goddesses assem- 
bled about her, as many Nereides as were at the bottom of the 
sea. There were there, Glauca, and Thaleia, and Cymodoce, 

40 and Nesasa, and Speio, and Thoa, and the large-eyed Halia, and 
Cymothoe, and Actaea, and Limnoreia. and Melita, and Iaera, 
and Amphithoe, and Agave, and Doto, and Proto, and Pherusa, 
and Dynamene, and Dexamene,and Amphinome, and Callianeira, 

45 Doris, and Panope, and the distinguished Galateia, and Nemer- 
tes, and Apseudes, and C.illianassa. There were there also, 
Clymene, and laneira, and lanassa, Maera, and Oreithyia, and the 
fair-haired Amatheia, and other Nereides who were at the 

50 bottom of the sea. And with them was the splendid cave filled, 
and altogether they beat their breasts ; and Thetis began the 
lamentation : 

" Hear, sister Nereides, that by hearing ye may all well know, 
what sorrows are in my mind. Ah me, miserable ! ah me ! who 

55 in an evil hour brought forth the bravest of men, and after I had 
given birth to a son illustrious and gallant, the chief of heroes, 
and he grew up like a young tree — him, after nursing like a plant 
in a fertile spot of a field, I sent forth in ships of curved beaks 
to Ilium, to fight against the Trojans ; but him, returning home 

60 to the mansion of Peleus, shall I not again receive. And whilst 

he lives and beholds the light of the sun, he grieves 5 , nor can I, 

by going, assist him. Yet I will go, that I may see my beloved 

son, and learn what grief has come upon him, even while abstain- 

r ing from the battle." 

6° Thus having spoken, she left the cave j and they all went 

2 Dividing— psyag (xsyaXwffTi. See P. 723. 3 ,-, e . they fainted. 

4 o 5s — i. e . Achilles. 

s i. e. he does, or will do so till his death — meaning, either from the day of Ag- 
amemnon's insult, or generally on account of his short-lived fate. 



ILIAD XVIIL— Y. 66—102. 309 

with her, weeping, and the water of the sea was cleft 6 around 
them. And they, when now they came to fertile Troy, ascended 
the shore, one after the other, where the numerous ships of the 
Myrmidons were dragged up round the swift Achilles. And 
beside him, deeply groaning, stood his divine mother, and shrilly 70 
shrieking, caught the head of her son 7 ; and, mourning, ad- 
dressed to him these winged words : 

" Why weepest thou, my son, and what sorrow has come upon 
thy mind ? Speak, hide it not : those things have been done for 
thee from Jove, as thou didst before pray, lifting up thy hands — 75 
that all the sons of the Achasans, when deprived of thee, might 
be driven to the barks, and suffer indignities." 

And her the swift-footed Achilles addressed, deeply groaning : 
" My mother, the Olympian has indeed done those things for 
me ; but what pleasure is there from them to me, when Patro- 80 
clus, my dear comrade, is dead ? Him whom I honoured above 
all my companions, equally with my own life 8 — him have I lost j 
and Hector, having slain him, has stript off his armour, mighty, 
a wonder to be seen, beautiful — that which the gods gave to 
Peleus, as distinguished gifts, on that day when they laid thee S5 
in the bed of a mortal man. Would that thou hadst dwelt there 
among the immortal inhabitants of the sea, and that Peleus had 
wedded a mortal spouse. But now the effect will be, that to thee 
also must there be boundless grief in thy mind for thy son slain, 
whom thou wilt not again receive, returning home. For neither 90 
does my mind urge me to live, nor have intercourse with men 9 , 
unless Hector first lose his life, smitten by my spear, and pay 
the penalty 1 for the slaughter of Patroclus, the son of Menoe- 
tius." 

And him Thetis in turn addressed, shedding tears : u Short- 
lived, indeed, O my son, will thou be, as thou sayest, for imme- 95 
diately after Hector, comes thy own fate 2 ." 

And, sighing heavily, swift-footed Achilles again addressed 
her : " At once would I die, since I could not succour my com- 
rade, now slain. He has perished very far from his native land, 
and had need of me to protect him from evil 3 . And now would 100 
/ die, since I must not return to my dear native land, and have 
been of no service to Patroclus, nor to the rest of my comrades, 

6 Broke — i. e. opened itself — made way. 

7 i. e. embraced him — put her arm round his neck. 8 Head. 
9 i. e. I am indifferent to life — or, life is intolerable, &c. 

i sXwPa — i. e. by being a prey for birds and beasts. 

2 Thou wilt be soon to die, O my son, such things thou sayest, for fate is ready 
for thee afterwards, immediately after Hector. 3 From Mars — i. e. violent death. 



310 ILIAD XVIIL— V. 104—145. 

who have been subdued in great numbers by noble Hector ; but 

105 have sat beside the ships an useless burden of the earth, being 
such a man in war as is not any one of the brazen-mailed Ach- 
seans j though in council there are others superior. Would that 
contention would perish from among gods and men ; and anger, 
which impels even the prudent to rage — which, far sweeter 

110 than dropping honey, in the breast of men rises, like smoke ; so 
now did the king of men, Agamemnon, enrage me. But the 
past we dismiss, grieved although we be 4 , subduing from neces- 
sity the indignation within our bosoms. And now will I go, that 
I may take Hector, the destroyer of my beloved friend 5 ; and 

115 my own fate will I then receive, whenever Jove shall please to 
accomplish it, and the other immortal gods. For not even did 
the mighty Hercules 6 escape death, who was most dear to king 
Jove, son of Saturn ; but destiny subdued him, and the unre- 

120 lenting resentment of Juno. So I also shall lie, when I am dead, if 
a similar fate be now destined for me ; but now will I obtain 7 
illustrious glory, and compel 8 some one of the Trojan women and 
long-robed Dardans frequently to sob, wiping off the tears from 

125 her soft cheeks with both hands ; and they shall know that I 
have long ceased from battle 9 . Then hinder me not from the 
combat, although thou lovest me 1 , for thou shalt not persuade 
me." 

And him answered then Thetis, the silver-footed goddess : 
" Yes, that indeed is right, my son ; nor is it wrong to avenge 

130 our suffering friends. But thy beautiful armour, brazen, splen- 
did, is with the Trojans. With it on his shoulders, the plumed 
Hector himself exults ; but I say that he will not long exult, for 
slaughter is near him. Enter thou then not yet into the strife 

135 of Mars, before thou beholdest me with thine eyes coming hither. 
For I will return in the morning, with the rising sun ; bringing 
beautiful armour from king Vulcan." 

Thus having spoken, she turned back from her son, and, 
wheeling round, addressed her marine sisters : " Enter ye now 

1^0 into the broad bosom of the sea, and, visiting the aged sea-god 
and the mansions of our father, tell him all: for I will go to 
high Olympus to Vulcan, the skilful artificer, that he may give 
my son noble, splendid armour." 

145 Thus she spake, and they entered forthwith beneath the wave 

* See II. 60. 5 Of my dear head. 

6 Might of, &c. ' a£oifAT]v with xs understood. 

8 I will send upon them — will inflict on them sorrow — a&vov ffrovcf)(S(f8a.i. 

9 i. e. that I am come again to battle — or, by implication, that though I have 
been long absent, I am come again. l Although loving me. 



ILIAD XVIIL— V. 147—187. 311 

of the sea. And Thetis, the silver-footed goddess, again de- 
parted to Olympus, that she might bring distinguished armour 
to her beloved son. 

Her then her feet bore towards Olympus ; and meanwhile the 150 
Achseans, flying with a loud shout from man-slaying Hector, 
reached the ships and the Hellespont. Nor could the Achseans, 
well-armed, drag the dead Patroclus, the attendant of Achilles, 
away from the weapons 2 , for now again overtook it 3 both men 
and horses 4 , and Hector, the son of Priam, resembling the force 155 
of a flame. Three times did the illustrious Hector seize him 
behind by the feet, eager to drag him away, and loudly shouted 
to the Trojans ; and thrice did the two Ajaxes, endowed with 
impetuous valour, drive him back from the corpse ; but he un- 
flinchingly 5 trusting to his might 6 , sometimes rushed into the 
crowd, and sometimes again stopped, loudly shouting : yet never 160 
retired back altogether. And as watchful shepherds are by no 
means able to drive away from a carcase a fierce lion, very 
hungry ; so were the two warlike Ajaxes unable entirely to re- 
pulse Hector, son of Priam, from the body. And now would he 
have dragged it off, and obtained immense glory, had not wind- 165 
footed, swift Iris, come as a messenger, running from Olympus, 
to the son of Peleus, to excite him to arms, unknown to Jove and 
the other gods — ^for Juno had dispatched her — and, standing near, 
she spake these winged words : 

" Up, son of Peleus, most terrible of all men ; defend Patro- 170 
clus, for whom 7 the dire contest stands before the ships. For 
they are slaughtering each other, these fighting in defence of 
the slaughtered dead body, and those (Trojans) rush on to drag 
it away towards the lofty Ilium ; and above all, illustrious Hec- 
tor desires to seize him, for his mind prompts him to fix his 175 
head upon poles, after cutting it from the tender neck. Up> 
therefore, and lie no longer : and let horror touch thy soul, that 
Patroclus should be the sport of Trojan dogs. It will be a dis- 
grace to thee if the body should come to be at all defiled." 180 

And her answered then noble Achilles, swift of foot : " Which 
of the gods, O goddess Iris, sent thee a messenger to me ?" 

And to him, in return, wind-footed, fleet Iris said : u Juno 
sent me forth, the glorious spouse of Jove ; nor does the son of 
Saturn, seated on high, know it, nor any other of the immortals 185 
who dwell round the snow-topped Olympus.*' 

And to her swift-footed Achilles, answering, said : " And how 

2 i. e. the melee of weapons. 3 The dead body. 

4 i. e. the troops and their chiefs — horse and foot. 5 c(aws<$ov. 

6 i. e. exerting his vigour. 7 i. e. for whose dead body. 



312 ILIAD XVIII— V. 188— 232. 

can I go to the battle ? for they possess my armour. And my 
beloved mother permits me not to arm, before with my eyes I 

190 see her come ; for she promises to bring me beautiful armour 
from Yulcan. Nor indeed do I know 8 whose rich armour else I 
could put on, save the shield of Ajax, the son of Telamon. But 

195 he himself still, I hope, mingles with the foremost; dealing death 
with his spear round dead Patroclus " 

And to him again wind-foot ed, swift Iris, said : "Well do we 
too know that thy noble armour is taken : yet even thus 9 , going 
towards the ditch, show thyself to the Trojans, that the Trojans, 

200 panic-struck, may desist from battle, and the warlike harassed 
sons of the Achaeans may breathe again; and that there may 
be a respite of battle." 

Thus then having spoken, swift-footed Iris departed. And 
Achilles, beloved of Jove, arose ; and Minerva cast round his 

205 strong shoulders her fringed JEgis. And the noblest of goddesses 
crowned his head with a golden cloud 1 , and from it caused a shin- 
ing flame to blaze forth. And as when smoke, ascending from a 
town, reaches the aether, from an island afar off, which foes invest 

210 — a ll day, from their city 2 , the citizens contend in horrid fight ; 
and with the setting sun many torches blaze, and the splendour 
rushes up aloft for their neighbours to behold, that, if possible,, 
they, as repellers of the war, may come with ships — so the light 

215 fr° m ^ ne nea( l 0I> Achilles reached the sky. Advancing towards 
the ditch, he stood a little way from the wall, but mixed not with 
the Achaeans, for he respected the prudent advice of his mother. 
There standing, he shouted ; and Pallas Minerva, apart, vocifer- 

220 a *ed ; and she excited mighty tumult among the Trojans. And 
as when there is a very loud sound, when a trumpet brays, whilst 
deadly foes are investing a city : so loud then was the voice of 
the son of iEacus. And when they heard the brazen voice of 
Achilles, the souls of all were shaken ,* and the beautiful steeds 

225 turned the chariots backwards, for they presaged disasters in their 
souls. And the charioteers were panic-struck, when they beheld 
the invincible fire over the head of the brave Pelides fearfully 
blazing ; for that the blue -eyed goddess Minerva had lighted up. 
Thrice over the ditch loudly shouted noble Achilles, and thrice 

230 were the Trojans and illustrious allies thrown into confusion, 
There also then perished twelve bravest heroes among their own 
cars and spears ; and the Achaeans, dragging Patroclus with alac- 

8 I know not the armour of another. 

9 i. e. in the state you are in — without any armour. 

1 Round his head the divine of goddesses encircled a golden cloncb 

2 i. e. from the walls of the town. 



ILIAD XVin— V. 233—274. 313 

rity from among the weapons, laid him upon a litter ; and his 
beloved comrades stood round him mourning, and with them fol- 
lowed swift-footed Achilles, shedding hot tears, when he beheld 235 
his faithful comrade upon a litter, hacked with the sharp brass — 
him whom he had sent forth with horses and cars to battle, nor 
received him again, returning alive. 

And large-eyed, imperial Juno sent the unwearied sun against 240 
his will to return to the streams of Oceanus. And the sun set, 
and the noble Achaeans desisted from fierce contest and destruc- 
tive battle. And the Trojans, again, on the other side, retiring 
from furious combat, loosed the fleet horses from their cars. And 
they assembled in council before they thought of their repast. 245 
And the meeting was one of men standing erect, nor did any 
one venture to sit ; for terror possessed all, because Achilles had 
made his appearance, after he had long abstained from direful 
combat. , And among them prudent Polydamas, the son of Pan- 
thus, began to harangue, for he alone looked to the future and 250 
the past 3 . And he was Hector's friend, and they were born in 
one night ; and the one excelled in council, and the other far in 
arms. He prudently 4 harangued them, and said : 

? My friends, consider well on every side ; I indeed advise to 
return now to the city — not wait the sacred morn in the plain 255 
beside the ships ; for we are far from the wall 5 . As long as that 
man retained his anger against noble Agamemnon, so long were 
the Achaeans more easy to fight with. For I too was delighted, 
passing the night by the swift barks 6 , hoping to take the ships, 260 
impelled by oars on both sides ; but now greatly do I fear swift- 
iboted Pelides. So vehement a spirit is his, he will not choose 
to remain in the plain, where the Trojans and Achaaans, in the 
middle, divide 7 the force of war ; but he will combat for the city 
and our wives. We will go then to the city — be persuaded by 265 
me — for so it must be 8 . Ambrosial night at present withholds 
swift-footed Pelides ; but if, rushing forth to-morrow with his 
armour, he shall find us here, then well will some one know 
him ; for with joy will he who escapes reach sacred Ilium ; for 270 
dogs and vultures will devour many of the Trojans. O that 
such tidings may not reach my ears 9 . But if we be persuaded 
by my words, sad 1 though we be, we shall hold our force in 



3 i. e. he was the most prudent man among them. 

4 Thinking well — i. j.asa person of experience, and capable of giving sound 
advice. 5 i. e. of the town. 6 i. e. at the thought of doing so. 

7 As if on equal terms. 8 It will be. 

9 Would that thus it be away from my ear. » r. e. at the necessity. 



314 ILIAD XVIIL— V. 275—313. 

275 council 2 during the night, and the towers and lofty gates, and 
doors fitted in them, well-polished, well-fastened, will protect the 
city. And in the morning early we will stand on the towers, 
arrayed in armour ; and it will be a difficult thing for him, if he 

280 wish it ; coming from the ships, to fight with us round the wall. 
Back again then will he go to the ships, when he has exhausted 
his high-necked steeds with a varied course, driving under the 
city walls. But his mind will never venture to rush in, nor will 
he ever lay it waste — the fleet dogs shall first devour him." 
And to him then the j>lumed Hector, looking sternly, said r 

2S5 " Thou no longer, Polydamas sayst what is agreeable to me, who 
advisest us to go again, and be cooped up in the city. Have ye 
not yet had enough of being shut up within the towers ? For- 
merly all articulate-speaking men pronounced the city of Priam 

290 to be rich in gold and in brass ; but now the rich treasures of our 
houses have perished, and much wealth for purchases has already 
departed to Phrygia and the delightful Moeonia 3 , because mighty 
Jove has been enraged. Now then when the son of the wily 
Saturn has granted me to obtain glory at the ships, and to drive 

295 the Achaeans to the sea, — no longer, foolish man, disclose these 
counsels to the people : for none of the Trojans will obey : nor 
will I permit it 4 . Come then let us all obey as I shall advise. 
Take now your suppers in your ranks throughout the army ; 
and be mindful of a guard, and keep watch each of you ; and he 

300 of the Trojans who is extremely solicitous about his w r ealth 5 , 
gathering it together, let him give it to the people to be publicly 
consumed — it is better that some of them should enjoy it than 
the Achseans. And in the morning early, arrayed in armour, at 
the hollow ships we will stir up the fierce battle ; and if in re- 

305 ality noble Achilles rises at the ships, it will be the worse for 
him, if he chooses to fight. I shall not fly him by going from 
the dire-sounding battle, but will confront boldly with him, 
whether he bear away great glory, or I bear it away. Mars is 
common 6 , and slays the slayer." 

B10 Thus Hector counselled; and the Trojans shouted — foolishly, 
for Pallas Minerva had taken their senses from them. For they 
assented to Hector, counselling destructive measures; and no 
one agreed with Polydamas, who offered sound advice. Then 

2 i. e. keep collected in the a.yo^r\ — in the square, or public place of assembly 
— not disperse to their several homes. 

3 i. e. they could not cultivate their own grounds — occupied, or exposed as they 
were to the Achseans ; and were forced to send to the eastern districts for corn, &c. 

4 i. e. you to do it. 5 Ironic ally — a stroke at Polydamas. 
6 That is, the fortune of the war is common. 



ILIAD XVIII.—V. 315-356. 315 

took they supper throughout the army. Meanwhile the Achaeans, 315 
weeping all night, poured their lamentations over Patroclus, and 
among them Pelides led the ceaseless lamentation, placing his 
manslaying hands upon the breast of his companion, and sighing 
very frequently ; like a well-bearded lion, from which an hunts- 
man 7 has stolen away the cubs from out of a thick forest; and 320 
he is saddened, coming afterwards ; and many valleys goes he 
over, tracing the footsteps of the man, that he may find him ; for 
very keen rage seizes him. So, deeply groaning, Achilles ad- 
dressed the Myrmidons : 

'• Alas ! vain indeed were the words I uttered on that day, 
encouraging the hero Menoetius in our halls 8 — for I said that I 325 
would bring back his illustrious son to Opoeis, after he had 
wasted Troy, and obtained a portion of the spoils. But Jove 
fulfils not to men all their intentions : for it is fated that we 
should both stain with blood the same earth here in Troy ; since 330 
neither shall the aged Peleus, tamer of horses, receive me in his 
halls returning, nor my mother Thetis, but here the earth shall 
hold me. Now, however, O Patroclus, since after thee I am 
going beneath the earth, I will not perform thy funeral obse- 
quies, before I bring hither the arms and the head of brave Hec- 335 
tor, thy murderer. And twelve illustrious sons of the Trojans 
will I behead before thy pile, enraged at thy slaughter 9 . And 
in the mean time thou shalt thus lie beside the curved ships : 
and round thee shall weep, shedding tears night and day, Trojan 
and deep-bosomed Dardan women, whom he and I have ourselves 340 
toiled to get with valour, and with the long spear, laying waste 
opulent cities of articulate-speaking men." 

So saying, noble Achilles gave directions to his comrades, to 
put a large tripod on the fire, that as soon as possible, they might 
wash away the bloody gore from Patroclus. And they placed a 345 
large tripod 1 upon the glowing fire, and poured water into it, and 
taking sticks, lighted them under it. Then the fire ran round 
the belly of the tripod, and the water grew hot. And when the 
water boiled in the bright brass, then they washed him, and 350 
bathed him with rich oil. And his wounds they filled up with 
an unguent nine years old 2 , and, laying him upon a bed, they 
covered him with fine linen from head to foot ; and over all, with 
a white mantle. All night then the Myrmidons lamenting Pa- 355 
troclus, groaned around swift-footed Achilles. And Jove addres- 
sed Juno, his sister and spouse : 

7 A man, the shooter of deer. 8 <$£. 9 On account of thee slain. 

1 Xosr£op(OOS — a kettle from which water was poured for washing or bathing. 

2 u e. which they brought with them fresh from home nine years before. 



316 ILIAD XVIIL— V. 357—396. 

" At last then thou hast done it, O large-eyed imperial Juno, 
having roused up swift-footed Achilles. Surely the long-haired 
Achasans must have sprung from thy very self." 

360 And him answered then large-eyed, imperial Juno : " Despotic 
son of Saturn, what word hast thou spoken ? Any mortal surely 
might have effected this against a man — any one who is only 
human, and knows not so many measures as we. How then 
ought not I, — who declare myself to be the chief of goddesses, on 
two accounts, as well from birth, as also because I am called thy 

365 spouse — for thou rulest over all the immortals— being angry with 
the Trojans, to be able to plan mischief against them ?" 

Thus they such things said to one another. ' And the silver- 
footed Thetis came to the mansion of Vulcan, incorruptible, 

370 starry, distinguished among the immortals, brazen, one which the 
lame god himself had formed. And him she found sweating, 
working at the bellows, very busy ; for he was making full 
twenty tripods, to stand round the wall of his well-founded palace. 

375 And under them he placed golden wheels, at the bottom of each, 
that of their own accord they might enter the heavenly banquet, 
and again return to his house — a wonder to be seen. So far in- 
deed were they finished 3 , but not yet were added the orna- 
mental handles which he was preparing ; and he was cutting the 

380 clasps 4 . Whilst with skilful mind he was toiling at these things, 
Thetis, the silver-footed goddess, came towards him. And the 
beautiful Charis, of the lovely veil, whom the illustrious Vulcan 
had wedded, going forth, beheld her ; and pressed her hand, and 
addressed her, and spoke to her by name : 

385 " Why, O long-robed Thetis, worthy to be reverenced and 
loved, comest thou to our abode ? Before thou comest not often 5 . 
But accompany me onward, that I may set before thee our hospi- 
talities." 

Thus having spoken, the most charming of goddesses led for- 
ward. Then she placed her upon a silver-studded throne, beau- 

390 tiful, curiously wrought, and there was a stool beneath for her 
feet. And she called Vulcan, the noble artificer, and spake this 
word: 

" Come hither, Vulcan, Thetis has some need of thee." 

And to her the illustrious Vulcan replied : " Why then indeed 

395 a goddess great and revered is within — one who saved me when 
distress came upon me, fallen far, by the contrivance of my 

3 They had an end. 

4 By which the handles were attached to the tripods — nails, or screws. 

5 », e, you are not in the habit of coming — or, you are quite a stranger. 



ILIAD XVIIL— V. 397—436. 317 

graceless mother, who wished to conceal me "because I was lame 6 . 
Then should I have suffered sorrows in my soul, had not Eury- 
nome, and Thetis received me in their bosom — Eurynome, 
daughter of the ebbing Oceanus. With them for nine years did 400 
I fabricate 7 many curious things, clasps, and twisted rings, and 
hair-pins, and necklaces, in the hollow cave ; and round us flowed 
the mighty stream of Oceanus, murmuring with foam : nor did 
any other either of gods or mortal men know it ; but Thetis and 405 
Eurynome knew, who preserved me. She now comes to our 
house ; wherefore it much behoves me to pay all the reward for 
my preservation 8 to fair-haired Thetis. Set thou then now 
before her our best hospitalities, whilst I lay aside my bellows 
and all my tools." 

He said, and, glowing, rose, a huge portent, from his anvil- 410 
stock, limping, and his weak legs tottered under him. The 
bellows then he laid apart from the fire, and all the tools, with 
which he worked, he collected together into a silver chest. 
And with a sponge he wiped, all over, his face and both his 
hands, and his strong neck and shaggy breast : and then put on his 415 
coat, and seized his thick staff. And he went limping out of the 
door, and golden handmaids supported him 9 . — like to living 
youth, in whose bosom there is understanding, and voice, and 
strength, and who are instructed in working by the immortal 420 
gods 1 . These assisted the king at his side ; and he hobbling 
along, sat down upon a shining throne near where Thetis was, 
and clasped her hand, and addressed her and said : 

" Why, long-robed Thetis, respected and beloved, comest thou 
to our abode ? Before thou comest not often. Speak what is in 425 
thy mind, for my soul prompts me to effect it, if I can effect it, 
and if it is to be effected." 

And to him Thetis then, shedding tears, replied : " O Vulcan, 
is there one now of all the goddesses 2 , whe are in Olympus, who 
has endured so many bitter griefs in her mind, as to me above 430 
all, Jove, the son of Saturn, has given sorrows ? Me, from among 
the other marine deities, did he make subject to a man, to Peleus, 
son of JEacus ; and I have endured the bed of a man very much 
against my will. He indeed now lies in his halls, worn out with 
miserable old age ; and Jove now gives me other woes. After 435 
he had granted me to bear and to nurse a son, distinguished 

6 Compare A. 587. 7 Work in brass, 

s Pay salvage-money. 9 Made of gold. 

i To whom there is understanding in their bosoms, and in them voice and 
strength, and they knew works from the immortal gods. 
2 As many goddesses as are. 



318 ILIAD XVIIL— V. 437-481. 

among heroes, and he grew up like a young tree — him after 
bringing up, as a plant in a fertile spot of the field, I sent forth 
in curved barks to Ilium, to combat with the Trojans ; but him 

440 I shall not again receive, returning home to the mansion of 
Peleus. For as long as he lives for me, and beholds the light 
of the sun, he surfers sorrow ; nor am I, by going to him, able to 
give any assistance. The maid whom the sons of the Achseans 

445 selected as a reward for him — her has king Agamemnon taken 
back from his hands. Surely grieving for her, has he been con- 
suming his soul ; and the Trojans were blockading the Achaeans 
at the ships, nor suffered them to go beyond the gates : and the 
sires of the Argives intreated him, and offered 3 many noble 

450 presents. Then he himself refused to ward off destruction ; but 
clothed Patroclus around with his own armour, and sent him 
forth to battle, and along with him furnished a large army 4 . 
And all day they fought round the Screan gates, and this very 
day they would have stormed Troy, had not Apollo slain among 

455 the foremost combatants the gallant son of Menoetius, while 
working much mischief, and given glory to Hector. On this 
account do I now approach thy knees, that thou mayst give to 
my short-lived son a shield and helmet, and beautiful greaves, 
joined with clasps, and a corslet : for what were his, his faithful 

160 comrade has lost, subdued by the Trojans; and he (Achilles) lies 
upon the ground, grieving in his soul." 

And her answered then the illustrious Vulcan: "Be com- 
forted, nor let these things be cause of anxiety in thy mind. 
Would that I could as surely protect him from dire-sounding 

465 death, when severe fate approaches him, as that beautiful arms 
shall be his — such as any one of many men hereafter shall ad- 
mire, who beholds them" 

So saying, he left her there, and went to the bellows. And 
then he turned towards the fire, and commanded them to work. 

470 And full twenty bellows blew in the furnaces, exciting a well- 
raised blast, of all degrees, to be ready for him, at one time busy, 
at another not 5 , according as Vulcan chose, and the work could 
be completed. And he cast into the fire impenetrable brass, and 

475 tin, and precious gold and silver ; and next he placed the mighty 
anvil on the stock, and in one hand took his strong hammer, and 
with the other seized the forceps. 

And first of all he made a shield, large and solid, decorating 

ISO it all over, and threw round it a shining rim, triple, splendid, and 
from it hung a silver belt. Of the shield itself there were five 

3 Named. 4 Much people. 

5 aXXoTS <$' auTS — scih pi (frrsu<$ov-Ti. 



ILIAD XVIIL— Y. 482—519. 319 

folds ; and upon it he made numerous figures with skilful art. 

In it he formed the earth, and in it the sea, and in it the un- 
wearied sun, and the full moon. In it also all the constellations 
with which the heaven is crowned, the Pleiades, and the Hyades, 485 
and the strength of Orion, and the Bear, which likewise they 
call by the appellation of the Wain, which there turns round, 
and watches Orion ; and it alone is deprived of the baths of 
Oceanus 6 . 

In it likewise he made two beautiful cities of articulate-speak- 490 
ing men. In the one there were marriages and feasts : and they 
were leading the brides from their chambers through the city, 
with lighted torches, and many a bridal song arose. And youth- 
ful dancers were wheeling around, and amongst them pipes and 495 
lyres uttered their sound : and the women, one and all. standing 
at the portals, admired the scene. And there were numerous 
people in a court of justice, and there a contest had arisen ; and 
two men disputed about the blood-money for a murdered man — 
the one affirmed that he had given all, declaring it to the people ; 500 
and the other denied that he had received aught ; and both desired 
to end the dispute before the judge. And the people were 
shouting in favour of both — friends of each party; and the 
heralds were keeping the people in check, and the old men sat 
upon polished stones, in a sacred circle, and held in their hands 505 
the sceptres of loud-shouting 7 heralds. Among them then they 
arose, and gave judgment in turns. And in the midst there lay 
two talents 8 of gold, to be given to him, who in their presence 
should most justly plead his cause 9 . — But round the other city 
sat two armies of people, glittering in armour. And a plan in 510 
two ways was agreeable to them, either to destroy it entirely, 
or to divide into two parts 1 all things — the wealth, as much as 
the pleasant city contained within. They 2 , however, did not 
yet obey, but secretly armed themselves for an ambuscade 3 . 
Their beloved wives and young children kept guard, standing 515 
upon the wall, and with them the men whom old age possessed : 
but themselves marched forth ; and Mars and Pallas Minerva 
led them on, both golden, for they were arrayed in golden robes, 
beautiful and large, along with their armour, like gods, magnifi- 
cent from top to toe ; but the people were of humbler size. And 

6 i. e. it never sets. 7 Heralds whose voices fill the air. 

8 The amount of the fine, apparently. The sum in question was, as we say, 
brought into court. 9 i. e. convince the judges he asked only justice. 

1 i. e. apparently — the citizens might purchase their safety by a surrender of 
half their property. 2 The people of the town. 

3 To intercept the supplies to the besieging corps. 



320 ILIAD XVIII.— Y. 520-562. 

520 when now they had arrived where it appeared convenient for 
them to place an ambuscade, by a river, where was a watering 
place for all cattle, there then they sat down, wrapt in shining 
Brass. Next, apart from the troops, sat down two scouts, watching 
when they might descry the flocks and horned herds. And they 

525 (flocks and herds) soon came on, and with them followed two 
herdsmen, amusing themselves with their pipes, for they fore- 
saw not the treachery. Then the foragers, seeing them before 
them, rushed upon them, and quickly plundered on all sides the 

530 herds of oxen and beautiful flocks of white sheep : and slew the 
shepherds besides. But the besiegers, sitting in the place of 
assembly 4 , as soon as they heard the mighty tumult among the 
oxen, mounting their nimble-footed steeds, pursued, and speedily 
came up with them. Then, standing, they fought a battle by 
the banks of the river, and smote one another with their brazen 

535 spears. And amongst them mingled Discord and Tumult, and 
deadly Fate, holding one yet alive, newly wounded, another 
unhurt, and by the feet dragged another, slain, through the 
combat ; and had the robe round her shoulders quite empurpled 
with the blood of men. And they turned about like living mor- 

540 tals, and fought and dragged away each other's slaughtered car- 
cases. 

On the shield also he placed a soft fallow field, a rich soil. 
broad, thrice ploughed ; and in it many ploughers, driving on all 
sides, were turning round their oxen. But when, returning, 
they came to the boundary of the field, then a man approaching 

545 them, gave into their hands a cup of sweetest wine ; and they 
turned to their furrows, eager to reach the boundary of the 
deep fallow field. And it was black behind, and like to ploughed 
land, though being golden ; which was a miracle beyond others. 

550 On it likewise he placed an enclosure of high corn ; and there 
workmen were reaping, holding sharp sickles in their hands. 
Some handfuls fell thick in swathes upon the ground, and others 
the binders of sheaves fastened together with cords. And three 

555 binders of sheaves followed the reapers ; and behind them boys- 
gathering the handfuls, and bearing them in their arms, con- 
stantly supplied them; and the master stood among them in 
silence, holding a staff beside the swathes, delighted in his 
heart. And apart, under an oak, servants were preparing a 
feast, and, sacrificing a huge ox, were busy about it ; and women 

560 sprinkled much white flour upon it — a meal for the labourers. 

On it likewise he placed a vineyard, very heavy with grapes. 

beautiful, golden ; and the clusters on the vine were black ; and 

4 Before the «£a — i. e. at, or before, the altar, &c. 



ILIAD XVIII.-V. 565—605. 321 

it stood throughout on silver poles. Round it he drew an azure 
ditch, and about that a rampart of tin : and there was only one 565 
path to it, by which the gatherers went, when they collected 
the vintage. Little maids and boys of tender minds 5 bore the 
luscious fruit in twisted baskets ; and in the midst of them a boy 
sweetly played upon a shrill lyre ; and, with tender voice, beau- 570 
tifully sung to it a rustic song 6 : and the rest, beating the earth 
at the same time, with singing and shouts of joy, followed, skip- 
ping with their feet. 

Upon it he also formed a herd of cows, with horns erect. And 
the cows were made of gold and of tin, and rushed out with a 
lowing from the stall to the pasture, beside a stream, brawling 575 
beside the waving reeds. And four golden herdsmen went along 
witty the oxen, and nine dogs, swift of foot, followed them. And 
two terrible lions were seizing the bull, groaning sadly, among 
the foremost oxen, and he was dragged away, loudly bellowing ; 580 
and the dogs and youths followed for his rescue. But they, 
after tearing open the skin of the huge ox, licked up his entrails 
and black blood: and the shepherds vainly pressed upon them, 
urging on their fleet dogs. And they (the dogs) refused to bite 585 
the lions, but, standing very near, barked at them, and shrunk 
from them. 

And upon it the illustrious Vulcan likewise formed a large pas- 
ture in a beautiful glen, full of white sheep, and folds, and 
covered huts and cottages. 

The illustrious Vulcan likewise adorned it with a dance, like 590 
to that which, in wide Cnossus, Daedalus once composed for the 
fair-haired Ariadne. There danced the youths and lovely 7 
virgins, holding each other's hands near the wrist. Of these, 
the maidens, wore fine linen robes, and the youths were dressed 595 
in well-woven coats, far-radiant, like oil : and the maids also 
had beautiful chaplets, and the boys wore golden swords sus- 
pended from silver belts. And sometimes with skilful feet, they 600 
nimbly ran the circle, as when some potter, sitting, tries a wheel 
fitted in his hands, if it will run ; and sometimes again they run 
back to their ranks through one another. And a great crowd 
stood round the pleasing dance, delighted ; and beside them, two 
tumblers 8 , beginning their song wheeled around in the midst. 605 



5 Thinking puerile things. 

6 The linen string — of which the ancients formed their harp-strings. 

7 Maidens who, on account of their beau'y received oxen f r om their lovers — 
e. were purchased by them, as wives, from their parents. 

8 Dancers on their Heads. 

22 



322 ILIAD XYIIL— Y. 606—617. 

Moreover, he placed in it the vast strength of the river 
Oceanus, near the outer rim of the well-formed shield. 

And when he had completed the shield, huge and solid, he 

610 next formed for him a corslet, brighter than the splendour of 

fire. And he made for him a strong helmet, fitted to his temples, 

beautiful and variously wrought, and put upon it a golden crest ; 

and formed greaves for him of ductile tin. 

And when the renowned Yulcan had with toil made all the 
615 arms, lifting them up, he laid them before the mother of Achilles : 
and she, like a hawk, shot down from the snow-clad Olympus, 
bearing the glittering armour from Yulcarj„ 






THE 



ILIAD OF HOMES 



BOOK XIX. 



ARGUMENT. 



Achilles being reconciled to Agamemnon, and clothed in his new armour, leads 
forth the Myrmidons to battle. 

The saffron-robed Morn was rising from out the streams of 
Oceanus, that she might bring light to immortals and to mortals ; 
and Thetis reached the ships, bearing the gifts from the god. 
And her beloved son she found sitting, loudly lamenting, beside 
Fatroclus, and round him his numerous companions mourned. 5 
And among them, the august goddess stood near him, and grasped 
his hand, and addressed him, and said : 

" My son, him. grieved though we be, will we let lie, since he 
was first subdued by the counsel of the gods ; but do thou receive 
from Vulcan this noble armour, very beautiful, such as no man 10 
has yet worn upon his shoulders." 

Thus having spoken, the goddess laid down the arms before 
Achilles : and they all, curiously wrought, clashed aloud. Then 
tremor seized all the Myrmidons, nor did any one dare to -look 
directly at them, but averted their eyes. But as soon as Achilles 15 
beheld them, rage the more came upon him ; and his eyes shone 
terribly from his eyelids, like a flame ; and he was filled with 
joy, holding in his hands the splendid gifts of the god. And 
when he had gratified his heart, beholding the curiously-wrought 20 
armour, forthwith he addressed his mother in these winged 
words : 

"My mother, a god has indeed given this armour, such as is 
fit to be the work of immortals, and not for mortal man to make. 
Now then will I arm myself: yet I very much fear, lest, in the 
mean time, the flies, entering the gallant son of Menoetius, by 25 



324 ILIAD XIX.— V. 26—67. 

his spear-inflicted wounds, generate maggots, and defile the 
corse — for life is destroyed — and all the body 1 grow putrid." 

And him answered then the silver-footed goddess Thetis: 
" My son, let not these things be a cause of anxiety to thy mind. 

30 I will endeavour to drive away from him the fierce swarms, the 
flies, which devour men slain in battle. For even if he lie for 
a complete year, his body shall always be sound as now, or even 
better. But do thou, having summoned the Achaean heroes to 

35 an assembly, and renouncing thy rage against Agamemnon, the 
shepherd of the people, arm thyself very speedily to war, and 
put on thy might." 

Having thus spoken, she infused into him the most daring 
courage, and then dropped into Patroclus, through the nostrils, 
ambrosia and the ruddy nectar, that his body might be uncor- 
rupted. 

40 And noble Achilles went along the shore of the sea, shouting 
fearfully, and roused the Achaean heroes. And those who were 
before in the habit of remaining at the assemblage of the ships, 
the pilots and those who held the rudders of the vessels, and the 

45 pursers, who were at the ships, the dispensers of food— even 
these then went to the assembly, because Achilles had appeared 
after he had 2 long abstained from dire combat. And two servants 
of Mars, brave Tydides and noble Ulysses, went limping, leaning 
upon a spear ; for they still had severe wounds; and, proceeding, 

50 they sat down on the first seats. And last came the king of men, 
Agamemnon, having a wound ; for him also, in the fierce battle, 
had Coon, son of Antenor, wounded with his brazen spear. 
Then when all the Achaeans were collected together, swift- 

55 footed Achilles, standing up amongst them, addressed them : 

" Son of Atreus, this 3 would doubtless have been better for 
both, for thee and me, when we two, enraged at heart, were 
inflamed to soul-devouring contention about a girl 4 . Would 
that Diana 5 had slain her with an arrow in the ships, on that 

60 day, when plundering, I took Lyrnessus — in that case so many 
Achaeans would not have bitten the mighty soil with their teeth 
under the hands of the enemy, whilst I was nursing my wrath. 
This had been better for Hector and the Trojans; and the 

65 Achaeans, I think, will long remember my contention and thine. 
But let us dismiss the past, grieved as we are, subduing from 
necessity 6 our resentments within our bosoms. And now, I put 

1 As to the whole body. 2 OS. 

3 i. e. what we are now doing — agreeing rather than conflicting. 4 Brisei's # 

15 To whom the premature deaths of women were ascribed. 
6 i. e. the state of circumstances compelling. 






ILIAD XIX.— V. 68—106. 325 

an end to my anger, nor is it at all fit that I be always obsti- 
nately enraged. Come then, excite more quickly the long- 
haired Achasans to battle, in order that I may again try the Tro- 70 
jans, going against them— whether they desire to spend the 
night at the ships ; but I think that any of them will very gladly 
bend his knee 7 , who escapes out of the glowing combat from my 
spear." 

Thus he spake ; and the well-greaved Achasans rejoiced, on 
account of the brave son of Peleus renouncing his anger. And 75 
to them the king of men, Agamemnon, likewise addressed him- 
self, out of the same place, from his seat, and not standing in the 
midst : 

" O friends, Danaan heroes, servants of Mars, it is good to 
listen to me, thus rising, nor is it proper to interrupt me : for it 80 
is difficult 8 even for one that is skilled. And in a great uproar 
of men, how can any one hear or speak ? For he is confounded 
even though ever so good an orator. I indeed shall direct my 
speech to Pelides : and do ye, the rest of the Argives, attend, 
and each be well acquainted with my words. Often have the S5 
Achasans uttered these words 9 against me. and have blamed me ; 
yet I am not to blame, but Jove, and Fate, and Erinnys, roaming 
amid the shades, who," in the assembly, threw into my mind a 
fierce desire to quarrel 1 , on that day when I myself took away 
the prize of Achilles. Yet what could I do ? It is a god in all 90 
things that accomplishes — the destructive Ate, the awful daugh- 
ter of Jove, who injures all. Light are her feet 2 : for she comes 
not near the ground, but she walks over the heads of men, in- 
juring men, and one at least she fetters 3 . For once she duped 95 
even Jove — him, who, they say, is the most powerful of men 
and gods ; but even him Juno, being a female, deceived by her 
crafts, on that day, when Alcmene was about to bring forth the 
mighty Hercules in the well- walled Thebes. He in truth, 100 
boasting, had said among all the gods : 

" ' Hear me, all ye gods, and all ye goddesses, that I ' may 
speak those things, which the soul within my bosom urges me. 
This day Eileithyia, the assistant in child-birth, shall show to 
the light of man, who shall lord it over all his neighbours, one of 
those men, who are of the blood of my race.' 105 

And him the august Juno addressed, meditating guiles : 



« 



' i. e. will be glad to sit down. 8 i. e , to address an assembly. 

9 i. e. censuring him for his conduct to Achilles. l Injury. 

2 i. e. walking without noise — the mind of man is urged on to evil, by some in- 
dwelling fury. 

3 i. e. if not both — a delicate censure of Achilles. 






326 ILIAD XIX— V. 108—144. 

6 Thou shalt be false, nor shalt thou execute thy purpose 4 . But 
come, swear now a binding oath to me, O Olympian, that he shall 

110 lord it over all his neighbours, who shall this day fall between 
the feet of a woman, one of those men, who are of the blood of 
thy family.' 

u Thus she spake, and Jove perceived not her crafty design, 
but swore the mighty oath, and then was much befooled 5 . And 
Juno, springing forth, quitted the brow of Olympus, and came 

115 with all haste to the Achaean Argos, where she was acquainted 
with the generous spouse of Sthenelus, son of Perseus. And she 
was pregnant of her beloved son; and the seventh month was 
at hand. And Juno brought him out to the light, though borne 
before the proper month 6 ,- and kept back the delivery of 
Alcmene, and restrained the Eileithyia? ; and herself coming as 

120 the messenger, addressed Jove, the son of Saturn : 

" { Father Jove, hurler of the red lightning, I will put a certain 
matter in thy mind 7 . A brave man is now born, who shall rule 
the Argives, Eurystheus, son of Sthenelus, son of Perseus, thy 
offspring — it is not improper for him to govern the Argives.' 

125 " Thus she spake ; but sharp pangs smote him in his deep 
mind : and immediately he seized Ate by her head of shining 
curls, enraged in his mind, and swore a strong oath, that Ate, 
who injures all, should never again return to Olympus, and the 
starry heaven. 

130 " So saying, he cast her from the starry sky, whirling her 
round in his hand, and she speedily reached the works of men. 
On her account he always groaned, when he beheld his beloved 
son employed 8 in some unworthy toil under the labours of 
Eurystheus 9 . 

" Thus I also, when the mighty, plumed Hector was destroy- 

135 ing the Argives at the sterns of the ships, was unable to forget 
the wrong which I first foolishly committed. But as I acted 
foolishly, and Jove took away my reason, I am willing again to 
appease thee, and to give infinite gifts. Up then thou to battle, 

J 40 and excite the other troops, and I am ready to furnish all the 
presents, as many as the noble Ulysses yesterday, going to thee, 
promised in thy tents. Yet, if thou wilt, wait, though hasten- 
ing to battle ; and my servants, taking the presents from my 
ship, shall bring them, that thou mayst see with what propitiat- 
ing gifts I present thee." 

4 Put an end, or completion, to thy speech. 

s He was thinking of Hercules, and Juno of Eurystheus. 

6 Defective in months. 7 i. e. I have something to tell you, 

s Having some. 9 *'. e. imposed by Eurystheus. 






ILIAD XIX.— V. 145—191. 327 

And to him swift-footed Achilles ; answering, said : " Most 145 
glorious son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, whether thou 
wilt furnish gifts, as it is meet, or keep them, remains with thee 1 ; 
but now let us very quickly he mindful of the contest ; for it 
becomes us not to waste time in words, remaining here ; nor to 150 
cause delays, for the great deed is yet to be done. And as each 
beholds Achilles again among the foremost, destroying the pha- 
lanxes of the Trojans with his brazen spear, so let also each of 
you, keeping this in mind, combat with his man." 

And to him the ever-ready 2 Ulysses answering said : " Not 
thus, brave as thou art, O godlike Achilles, urge the sons of the 155 
Achasans towards Ilium, to fight fasting with the Trojans ; since 
not for a short time will be the contest, when once the phalanxes 
of men mingle, and a god breathe valour into both. Command 
rather that the Achasans be refreshed 3 at the ships with food 160 
and wine — for that is strength and vigour. For a man, wanting 
food, could not fight against his enemies all day till sunset ; for 
although with his spirit he desires to maintain the fight, still his 
limbs insensibly grow languid, and thirst and hunger overtake 165 
him, and his knees fail him as he goes 4 . But a man who is 
satisfied with wine and food, combats all day with hostile heroes ; 
the heart within his bosom is daring, nor do his limbs at all 
weary before that all retire from battle. Come then, send away 170 
the troops, and order a repast to be made ready ; and let the 
king of men, Agamemnon, bring the gifts into the midst of the 
assembly, that all the Aclueans may see them with their eyes, 
and thou receive pleasure in thy heart. Let him, moreover, 175 
swear an oath to thee, standing up among the Argives, that he 
has never ascended her bed, nor had connexion with her, as is 
the custom, O king, of men and women : and let thine own soul 
within thy bosom be appeased. Then let him next entertain 
thee with a good feast within his tent that thou mayst not have 180 
aught of thy due incomplete. And thou, Atrides, wilt hereafter 
be more just towards another — for it is not derogatory for a royal 
personage to conciliate, when he was the first 5 to do wrong." 

And him in return the king of men, Agamemnon, addressed : 185 
" I am delighted, O son of Laertes, listening to thy speech, for 
thou hast gone through and expressed all with propriety. And 
these things will I swear, and my soul urges me ; nor shall I, 
before God, forswear myself. And let Achilles here remain, 190 
meanwhile, though hastening out to battle ; and remain all ye 

1 Is with thee — is thy business. 2 With many plans. 

3 Be fed. 4 To him going. 

5 cr^oTc|og — sciL /3a(TiXeug, 



328 ILIAD XIX — V. 192—236. 

the rest of you assembled, until they bring the gifts from my 
tent, and we take our oath 6 . And to thee thyself, Ulysses, I give 
this charge, and command thee — selecting the principal youths 

195 of all the Achasans, to bring from my ship the gifts, as many as 
we yesterday promised to give to Achilles, and to lead forth the 
women. And let Talthybius also prepare for me with speed in 
the wide army of the Achaeans, a boar to sacrifice to Jupiter and 
the Sun." 

And him swift-footed Achilles, answering, addressed : " Most 

200 glorious Atrides, king of men, Agamemnon, at some other period 
ought ye rather to attend to these matters, when there is some 
respite from battle, and not so much ardour in my bosom ; but 
at present those lie mangled, whom Hector, the son of Priam, 
subdued, when Jove gave him the glory. Urge ye the troops, 

205 however, to food. I would myself indeed at once advise the sons 
of the Acha?ans, fasting, hungry, to engage ; and, with the setting 
sun, prepare a large supper, after we have revenged our disgrace. 
For before, neither drink nor food shall descend down my throat 

210 — for the sake of my slain friend, who lies in my tent, mangled 
with the sharp brass, turned towards the portal, and his comrades 
mourn around him. On that account, not to my mind are these 
things a care j but slaughter, and blood, and the dire groaning of 
heroes." 

215 And him the wise Ulysses, answering, addressed : "O Achilles, 
son of Peleus, far the bravest of Achasans, thou art stronger than 
myself, and not a little superior with the spear ; but I excel thee 
much in experience 7 ; for I was born before thee, and know 

220 more : therefore let thy mind acquiesce in my words. Soon is 
there with men a satiety of battle, where 8 the sickle cuts down 
the greatest crop ; and small is the harvest, when Jove, who is 
the disposer of the battle of heroes, inclines the scales 9 . And it 

225 cannot be of any use, that the Achaeans lament the dead with 
fasting 1 , for very many and in heaps every day they fall — when 
could one cease from sorrow ? But it becomes us rather to bury 
the man who dies, with firm minds, lamenting him for a day. 

23q And as many of us as survive the hateful combat ought to be 
mindful of drinking and of food, in order that we may ever the 
more ceaselessly contend with our enemies, having our bodies 
arrayed 2 in impenetrable brass : nor let any of the troops hang 

235 back waiting for another exhortation. For badly will that 
exhortation be for him, who skulks at the ships of the Argives : 

6 Strike the victims in evidence of our oath. 

1 voY)ixart. s Of which. 9 ©. 69. 

1 Belly. 2 Clothed as to our bodies. 



ILIAD XIX.—V. 237-275. 329 

but marching forth in a body, we will stir up the keen battle 
against the horse-taming Trojans." 

He said, and chose as his companions the sons of the glorious 
Nestor, and Meges, son of Phyleus, and Thoas, and Meriones, 240 
and Lycomedes, son of Creion, and Melanippus ; and they pro- 
ceeded to go towards the tent of Agamemnon, son of Atreus ; 
and then at once was the speech, and the thing was done 3 . 
Seven tripods they brought from the tent, which he had pro- 
mised him. and twenty golden goblets, and twelve steeds ; and 245 
forthwith they led forth seven women, skilful in fine works, 
and the eighth was the fair-cheeked Brisei's. And Ulysses, 
after weighing 4 full ten talents of gold, led the way, and with 
him the other youths of the Ach^eans carried the presents, and 
placed them in the midst of the assembly; and Agamemnon 
stood up ; and Talthybius, like to a god in his voice, stood beside 250 
the shepherd of the people, holding a boar with his hands. Then 
the son of Atreus, drawing with his hands the knife, which 
always hung by the great scabbard of his sword — beginning with 
the forelock of the boar — prayed, lifting up his hands to Jove ; 255 
and all the Argives sat in silence in the same spot, listening with 
reverence to the king. And, praying, he spake, looking to the 
wide heaven : 

" Now first let Jupiter be witness, the mightiest and best of 
the gods, — next let the Earth, and the Sun, and the Furies, who 
under ground chastise men, whoever swears a falsehood — never 260 
have I laid my hand upon the maid Brisei's, making use of her 
for concubinage, or for any other purpose ; but immaculate she 
has remained in my tents. And if I have falsely sworn aught 
of these things, may the gods inflict on me those very numerous 
distresses which 5 they inflict on him, who sins against them by 265 
false swearing." 

He said, and cut the throat of the boar with the ruthless 
knife ; and Talthybius, whirling it round, cast into the mighty 
water of the hoary sea, to be food for fishes. And Achilles, 
rising, said among the war-loving Argives : 

" O father Jove, great calamities givest thou to men ; for 270 
never could Atrides have excited 6 so thoroughly the indignation 
in my bosom, nor led away the girl, desperately against my con- • 
sent 7 — but Jupiter, for some purpose, willed that death should 
befal many Achseans. Now then go to the repast, that we may 275 
begin the battle." 

3 i. e. the thing was done forthwith — as soon as said. 

4 Placing — i. e. in the scale. 5 As many as. 6 i. e. of his own will. 
7 I being unwilling. 



330 ILIAD XIX.— Y. 276-321. 

Thus then he spake, and dismissed the hasty assembly. The 
rest then dispersed, each to his own ship ; and the brave Myr- 
midons attended to the presents, and went, bearing them to 

280 the ship of the godlike Achilles. These they laid up in the 
tents, and seated the women : and his brave attendants drove 
the horses to the stud. And then Briseis, like to golden Venus, 
when she beheld Patroclus mangled with the dire spear, 
throwing herself about him, shrieked aloud, and with her hands 

2S5 tore her bosom, and her soft neck, and lovely face ; and the lady 
resembling goddesses, weeping, exclaimed : 

" O Patroclus, most dear to my wretched soul, alive I left thee, 
departing from the tent, but now, returning back, I find thee 

290 dead, O prince of the people. How evil upon evil always 
awaits me. The hero, to whom my father and venerable mother 
had given me, I saw mangled with the sharp sword before the 
city ; and three beloved brothers whom the same mother bore 

295 with me, all met the fatal day. Nevertheless, thou didst not 
suffer me, what time the swift Achilles slew my husband, and 
laid waste the city of the divine Mynes, to weep, but saidest 
that thou wouldst make me the wedded spouse of the noble 
Achilles, and take me in the ships to Phthia, and prepare the 

300 marriage feast with the Myrmidons. Therefore do I, without 
measure, lament thee dead, who wast ever kind to meV 

Thus she spake, weeping ; and the women groaned around 
her, in appearance for Patroclus, but in reality each for her own 
ills. And around him (Achilles) collected the sages of the Ach- 
seans, intreating him to eat ; but he, groaning, refused : 

305 " I entreat you — if any of my beloved comrades be obedient 
to me — bid me not first satiate my heart with food nor drink : for 
heavy grief invades me ; and I will wait till sunset, and endure 
it altogether without food." 

So saying, he dismissed the other princes ; but the two sons of 

310 Atreus remained, and noble Ulysses, Nestor, and Idomeneus, and 
Phoenix, the aged equestrian, soothing him, constantly sorrowful ; 
nor could his soul be soothed, before he entered the mouth of 
bloody war. For, remembering Patroclus, he frequently heaved 
sighs, and said : 

315 "Once, thou too, O unhappy, dearest of my comrades, wouldst 
thyself have placed before me a joyful feast within my tent with 
speed and diligence 8 , when the Achseans made haste to bring 
tearful war upon the horse-taming Trojans. But now thou 

320 liest mangled, and my heart is without drink and food, — though 
they are within 9 , — through regret for thee ; for I could not 

8 Quickly and carefully. 9 Being within. 



ILIAD XIX.— V. 322—367. 331 

suffer aught else more distressing, not even if 1 were to hear of 
the death of my father 1 , who perchance sheds the tender tear in 
Phthia for the absence of such a son ; and I, in a foreign state, 
wage war against the Trojans, for the sake of the abhorred 325 
Helen ; or of him 2 , my beloved son, who is brought up at Scyros, 
if indeed he still lives, godlike Neoptolemus. For before, the 
soul within my bosom hoped, that I alone should perish here in 
Troy, far from horse-feeding Argos, and that thou wouldst 
return to Phthia, that thou mightest lead back my boy in thy 330 
black ship from Scyros, and show him every thing, my property, 
and my slaves, and large lofty-roofed abode. For now I sup- 
pose that Peleus is either quite dead, or, scarcely living, suffers 335 
pain from hated old age, and constantly expecting bad news 
respecting me — that he shall hear that I am dead." 

Thus he spake, weeping : and the sages also groaned, remem- 
bering each what he had left in his halls. And the son of Saturn 340 
felt compassion, beholding them mourning, and quickly addressed 
these winged words to Minerva : 

" My child, thou entirely now desertest thy brave hero. Is 
then Achilles no longer at all a care within thy mind ? He 
himself is sitting before his high-beaked ships, lamenting his 345 
beloved comrade ; and the rest have now gone to a repast, but 
he is empty and unfed. Go, therefore, instil into his breast 
nectar and delightful ambrosia, that hunger come not upon him." 

So saying, he urged Minerva, previously eager. And she, in 
the likeness of a broad-winged, shrill- voiced harpa 3 , sprang down 350 
from heaven through the air. Meanwhile the Achaeans were 
just arming throughout the camp; and she instilled into the 
bosom of Achilles nectar and delightful ambrosia, that disagree- 
able hunger might not reach his knees. Then she departed to 
the solid mansion of her all-powerful father : and they poured 355 
forth apart from the swift ships. And as when thick snow- 
showers fly down from Jove, chilling beneath the force of the 
air-clearing Boreas; so then from the ships were borne out 
thick helmets, brightly glittering, and bossed shields, and strong 4 360 
corslets, and ashen spears. And the flash uprose to heaven, and 
all the earth round laughed beneath the splendour of the brass ; 
and under them a tramping was raised from the feet of the men. 
And in the midst was armed noble Achilles, gnashing his teeth 5 , 365 
and his eyes sparkled like a flame of fire, for intolerable grief 
entered his heart within him ; and, furious against the Trojans, 

1 Of my father, dead. 2 rov — understand a-rtocp&idQai, from line 322. 

3 A kind of eagle. * Stroj^r in the hollows. 

5 In whose teeth there was, &c. 



332 ILIAD XIX.— V. 368—411. 

lie put on the gifts of the god, at which Yulcan had toiled in 
making them for him. First around his legs he put the beauti- 

370 ful greaves, connected with silver clasps ; next again he placed 
the corslet round his breast, and threw round his shoulders the 
brazen, silver-hilted sword ; and then he seized the shield, huge 
and solid, the splendour of which went afar, as of the moon. 

375 And as when the flame of a burning fire shines for sailors out at 
sea, for it blazes high up among the mountains on a solitary 
spot j and them, against their will, storms have carried away 
from their friends over the fishy deep ; so from the shield of 

380 Achilles, beautiful, curiously wrought, a spendour reached the 
sky. And, lifting his strong helmet, he put it upon his head ; 
and the helmet, crested with horse-hair, glittered like a star : 
and the golden crests, which Vulcan had formed thick round the 
cone, waved about. Then the noble Achilles tried himself in 
his arms, if they would fit him, and if his handsome limbs would 

385 move with ease within 6 ; and they were to him as wings, and 
lifted up the shepherd of the people. And from its case he 
drew forth his paternal spear, heavy, mighty, strong — that no 
other of the Achseans was able to brandish, but Achilles alone 

390 knew how to hurl it — a Pelian ash, which Chiron cut for his 
father from the top of Pelion, to be a destruction to heroes. 
And Automedon and Alcimus, caparisoning their horses, yoked 
them ; and beautiful collars were upon them. And in their 
jaws they put the bridles, and extended the reins backwards 

395 towards the compact car ; and Automedon, seizing the shining 
lash, which was suited to his hand, leaped into the car ; and be- 
hind him mounted the armed Achilles, glittering in his armour, 
like the shining sun. And terribly he gave command to the 
steeds of his father : 

400 " Xanthus, and Balius, illustrious offspring of Podarges, re- 
solve now in a different manner to bear back your driver in 
safety to the host of the Danaans, after we quit the battle, nor 
leave him there dead, like Patroclus." 

And him ? from beneath the yoke, Xanthus, his fleet-footed 

405 steed, addressed, and instantly hung down his head, and his 
whole mane, falling down from the collar near the yoke, reached 
to the ground. And Juno, the white-armed goddess, gave him 
a tongue 7 . 

" Now 8 , at least we will bear thee safe, O impetuous Achilles : 

410 but thy fatal day draws near thee ; nor shall we be to blame, 
but a mighty god, and powerful destiny. For neither by our 

6 Would run in thou. 

7 Made him speaknP— i, e. capable of speaking. 8 i. e. this time. 



ILIAD XIX— V. 412—424. 333 

laziness, nor want of spirit, did the Trojans strip the armour 
from the shoulders of Patroclus ; but the best of the gods, whom 
the fair-haired Latona bore, slew him among the foremost com- 415 
batants, and gave the glory to Hector. We indeed can run even 
with the blast of Zephyrus, which they say is most rapid of 
all; but to thyself is it decreed that thou be violently subdued 
by a god and a man 9 ." 

Of him, then, having thus spoken, the Furies stopt the voice ; 
and swift-footed Achilles, greatly indignant, addressed him : 

" Why Xanthus, predictest thou death to me ? It does not at 420 
at all become thee. Well do I likewise myself know, that it is 
my fate to perish here, far from my beloved father and mother. 
Nevertheless I will not cease before I have routed the Trojans, 
and given them enough of war 1 ." 

He said, and, shouting among the foremost, drove on his solid- 
hoofed steeds. 

s That is, by Apollo in the form of, or by, Paris. ' atJvjv— to satiety. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK XX. 



ARGUMENT. 

The gods are permitted by Jove to join the battle. They take opposite sides and 
engage. iEneas engages Achilles, and is rescued by Neptune. Hector like- 
wise fights, and is preserved by Apollo. Many Trojans slain by Achilles, 

Thus round thee, O son of Peleus, did the Acheeans, insatia- 
ble of battle, arm beside their curved barks : and the Trojans 
again, on the other side, on the acclivity 1 of the plain. And 
Jove commanded Themis to summon the gods to assembly, from 
5 the top of the many-valed Olympus ; and she, going round in 
every direction, bade them repair to the mansion of Jove. Nor 
was there then any one of the rivers absent, save Oceanus, nor 
of the nymphs who inhabit pleasant groves, and fountains of 

10 streams, and grassy meads. For, coming to the mansion of cloud- 
collecting Jove, they sat down in polished corridors, which Vul- 
can had made for father Jove with a skilful ingenuity. Thus 
were they assembled within the house of Jove ; nor did Neptune 
disobey the goddess, but came among them from the sea. And 

15 he sat in the midst, and inquired into the design of Jove : 

" Why again, O dispenser of the rapid lightning, hast thou 
summoned the gods to council ? Dost thou meditate aught re- 
specting the Trojans and Achseans ? For now very close glows 
their combat, and the battle." 

And him the cloud-compelling Jove, answering, addressed : 

20 " Thou knowest, earth-shaker, the design within my breast, and 
for whose sake I have assembled you ; though ready to die, they 
are a care to me. I will however remain sitting on the brow of 

iK. 160. 



ILIAD XX.— V. 23—65. 335 

Olympus, whence looking, I shall amuse my mind ; and the rest 
of you depart, that ye may go among the Trojans and Achseans. 
Give aid to both, according as is the inclination of each. For if 25 
Achilles alone shall fight with the Trojans, they will not even 
for a little sustain the fleet son of Peleus. Even before, on be- 
holding him, they fled in terror ; and now when he is deeply 
enraged in his mind on account of his comrade, I fear lest, even 30 
in spite of fate, he overthrow the wall 2 ." 

Thus spake the son of Saturn, and he excited a violent con- 
test : and the gods hastened to proceed to the battle, with minds 
divided 3 . Juno indeed, and Pallas Minerva repaired to the as- 
semblage of the ships, and earth-shaking Neptune, and useful 
Mercury, who is blessed with a prudent mind ; and with them 35 
went Vulcan, raging in his might, limping, and his weak limbs 
moved with all their force. And towards the Trojans went 
plumed Mars, and with him unshorn Phoebus, and Diana, de- 
lighting in archery, and Latona, and Xanthus, and laughter- 40 
loving Venus. As long then as the gods were apart from mortal 
men, so long did the Achseans greatly congratulate themselves 4 , 
because Achilles had made his appearance, after he had so long 
abstained from the dire battle ; and a violent tremor came upon 
the Trojans, each at the limbs trembling, because they beheld 45 
the swift-footed son of Peleus glittering in arms, equal to man- 
slaying Mars. But when the Olympians came among the throng 
of men, then arose fierce Contention, exciter of armies ; and 
Minerva shouted, sometimes standing beside the ditch, outside 
the wall, at other times loudly called along the resounding shores. 50 
And Mars yelled aloud on the other side, like to a dark whirl- 
wind, sharply animating the Trojans from the summit of the 
city, at other times running beside the Simois upon Callicolone. 

Thus the blessed gods, animating both sides, engaged, and 
caused severe contention to burst in among them. And the 55 
father of gods and men thundered fearfully from above ; and be- 
low Neptune shook the unbounded earth, and lofty summits of 
mountains. And all the base 5 , and all the tops of Ida of many 
fountains were shaken, and the city of the Trojans, and the ships 
of the Achseans. And Pluto himself, king of the shades, trem- 60 
bled below, and upsprang, appalled, from his throne, and screamed 
aloud, lest the earth-shaking Neptune should tear open the earth 
over him, and disclose to mortals and immortals his mansions, 
terrible, squalid, which even the gods detest. So great a tumult 65 

2 i. e. it was fated to fall — but not by Achilles. 

3 i, e. some in favour of the Achaeans, and some of the Trojans. 

4 Greatly gloried. 5 The feet. 



336 ILIAD XX.— V. 68—109. 

then arose from the gods, closing in combat. For against king 
Neptune stood Phoebus Apollo with his winged arrows; and 

70 against Mars blue-eyed goddess Minerva. And opposed to Juno 
stood the goddess of the golden arrows, shouting, Diana, rejoic- 
ing in the bow, sister of the far-darter : and to Latona, the good 
Mercury was a powerful adversary. And against Vulcan also, 
was the mighty river of deep pools, which Gods call Xanthus, 
and men Scamander. 

75 Thus gods advanced against gods ; and Achilles was above all 
eager to penetrate through the host against Hector, son of Priam: 
for with his blood his mind particularly urged him to glut Mars, 
the unconquered warrior. But Apollo, the exciter of the troops, 

SO immediately roused iEneas against the son of Peleus, and in- 
fused into him strong courage. And he likened himself in his 
voice to Lycaon, son of Priam, to whom likening himself, he ad- 
dressed him : 

a Where, O JErfeas, counsellor of the Trojans, are thy prom- 
ises, which over thy wine thou didst make to the princes of the 

35 Trojans, that thou wouldst fight against Achilles, son of Peleus?" 

And to him again iEneas, answering, said : " Son of Priam, 

why dost thou urge me, against my will, to these things, to fight 

against brave Pelides. For not now for the first time shall I 

90 stand against swift-footed Achilles, but already, even at a former 
time, did he chase me with his spear from Ida, what time he 
attacked our cattle, and laid waste Lyrnessus and Pedasus; but 
Jupiter preserved me, who invigorated my strength and active 

tf5 limbs. Otherwise I should have been subdued by the hands of 
Achilles, and Minerva, who, advancing before him, gave him 
glory, and bade him slay the Lelegans and Trojans with his 
brazen spear. Wherefore it is not possible for a man to combat 
against Achilles, for beside him is always one of the gods, who 
wards off destruction. Besides also, his weapon flies direct, nor 
100 stops until it has pierced the body of the man — though should 
the deity stretch equally the work of battle 6 , not very easily 
would Achilles conquer me, not if he boasts to be all over brass 7 ." 
And to him again king Apollo, son of Jove, said : " But come, 
1.05 pray thou likewise, O hero, to the everlasting gods; for they 
say that thou art sprung from Venus, daughter of Jove, while he 
is from an inferior goddess ; for the one is the daughter of Jove, 
and the other of the aged sea-god. Bear then thy ruthless brass 
right against him, nor let him at all avert thee with fierce words 
and threatening." 

6 »\ e. if he would be neutral — or favour each equally. A. 836. 

7 Or, not if he were made of brass — or entirely covered and protected by it 



ILIAD XX.— V. 110—150. 337 

So saying, he breathed great courage into the shepherd of 110 
the people ; and iEneas advanced through the foremost combat- 
ants, aimed in glittering brass. Nor did the son of Anchises 
escape the observation of the white-armed Juno, when going 
against Pelides through the ranks of men ; but, calling the gods 
into one place, she delivered a speech amongst them : 

"Ponder now, both of you, O Neptune and Minerva, in your 115 
minds how these things shall be. That iEneas, armed in glit- 
tering brass, is advancing against Pelides; and Phoebus Apollo 
has urged him on. Come then, let us drive him back again 
thence : or next, let some one of us stand by Achilles, and give 
him great strength, nor let him want aught in courage, that he 120 
may know that the mightiest of the immortals love him ; and 
that those, on the contrary, are of no value, who all along before 
avert war and slaughter from the Trojans. For we have all 
come down from Olympus to take part in this battle, in order 125 
that he may not suffer any thing among the Trojans to-day ; 
although hereafter he shall suffer those things, as many as fate 
spun in his early thread of life, what time his mother bore him. 
But if Achilles shall not understand these things from the voice 
of a god, he will afterwards be afraid when any god comes 
against him in battle ; for the gods are terrible to be seen man- 130 
ifestly 8 ." 

And her answered then Neptune, shaker of the earth : " Juno, 
be not absurdly enraged; nor is there occasion 9 . I, indeed, 
would not desire that we 1 should provoke the other gods to 
battle, though we are much more powerful. Rather let us sit 135 
down, retiring out of the way, to some height, and let the war 
be the care of mortals. But ii Mars begin the combat, or Apollo, 
or they restrain Achilles, and suffer him not to fight, then at 
once on the spot, a strife of battle shall arise even to us; and 140 
very speedily I deem that they 2 , driven 3 from the field, will go 
back to Olympus, to the assembly of the other gods, forcibly 
subdued by necessity under our hands." 

Thus then having spoken, the god of the azure hair led the 
way to the lofty surrounding wall of divine Hercules — that 145 
which the Trojans and Pallas Minerva had made, in order that, 
when flying from the sea-monster, he might escape, what time 
it drove him in pursuit from the shore to the plain. There 
then Neptune sat down, and the other gods, and threw an im- 150 

8 i. e. in propria persona. 

9 Nor does it become thee — or, rather, nor needest thou — i. e. be so much en- 
raged. ' i, e. we who are patrons of the Achaeans. 

2 i. e. Mars and Apollo — the gods of the adverse party. a Separated* 

23 



338 ILIAD XX.— Y. 151—189. 

penetrable cloud round their shoulders ; and on the other side, 
upon the tops of Callicolone, satst thou Phoebus 4 , the archer, and 
Mars, the destroyer of cities. Thus sat they on both sides, 

155 meditating plans : and both were unwilling to commence griev- 
ous war, though Jove, sitting aloft, instigated them. But with 
Trojans and Achaeans all the plain was filled, and glittered with 
the brass of heroes and horses, and the earth echoed under the 
feet of them, rushing together. But two heroes, by far the most 

160 valiant, advanced towards each other into the midst of both 
armies, eager to fight, iEneas, son of Anchises, and noble Achilles. 
And iEneas first, threatening, advanced, waving the crest on his 
strong casque; and he held before his breast his good 5 shield, 
and shook his brazen spear. And on the other side Pelides 

165 rushed against him like a destructive lion, which even assembled 
men, a whole village, keenly seek to kill • and he. at first despis- 
ing them, walks on ; but when some one of the warlike youths 
wounds him with a dart, gasping, he writhes, and the foam rises 
about his teeth, and his stout heart groans within his breast, and 

IT'O he lashes his sides and haunches on both sides with his tail, and 
rouses himself to battle ; then, with glaring eye, he rushes right 
on in his might, that he may slay some one of the men, or be 
himself destroyed in the first throng. Thus his courage and 

1/5 mighty soul impelled Achilles to go against brave iEneas. And 
when now, advancing, they approached each other, swift-footed 
noble Achilles first addressed the other : 

" Why dost thou, iEneas, stand there, coming in front of so 
great an army 6 ? Does then thy soul urge thee to combat with 
me, hoping that thou wilt govern the horse-taming Trojans with 

■*■"" the dignity of Priam 7 ? Yet even. if thou shouldst slay me, not 
for that will Priam put such a reward in thy hand ; for he has 
sons ; and he is himself steady 8 , and not fickle-minded. Or, have 
the Trojans cut thee out an estate surpassing others, well adapted 

*■**" for vines, or for the plough, that thou mayst cultivate it — 
shouldst thou kill me ? Still with difficulty I hope thou wilt do 
it 9 . For already, I think, have I elsewhere put thee to flight 
with my spear. Or, dost thou not remember when I impetu- 
ously drove thee, alone, from the oxen, with rapid feet down the 

4 Those around thee, Phoebus and Mars — i. e. Phoebus and Mars — unless it 
may mean, as the phrase usually does, them and their suite. 

5 A shield which could be wielded with facility — from its construction. 

6 Or — so much in advance of the army, what is your object ? 

7 i. e. in the hope that thou shalt be king instead of Priam. 

8 *. e. a prudent man. 

9 ». e. I am afraid thou wilt haTe some difficulty. 



ILIAD XX.— Y. 190—236. 339 

Idaean mountains? For then thou never turned thyself about 190 
whilst flying ; but didst escape thence into Lyrnessus : and that 
town I laid waste, after storming it, with the aid of Minerva 
and father Jove. The women also I led away captives, having 
taken away their day of freedom ; but thee Jove ever rescued, 
and the other gods. Not now, however, do I think they will 195 
protect thee, as thou deemest 1 in thy mind ; therefore I advise 
thee, retiring, to go into the throng, nor stand against me, before 
thou sufferest some evil; even a fool knows that which is 
done 2 ." 

Him again, iEneas answered, and said: "Do not expect, son 
of Peleus, to terrify me, like a child, with words, since 1 also 200 
myself know very well how to utter both threats and taunts. 
And we know each other's race, and we know our parents, hear- 
ing the words, heard of old, of mortal men ; although by sight, 
never hast thou seen mine, nor I thine. They say that thou 205 
art the offspring of renowned Peleus, and of Thetis, thy mother 
the fair-haired sea nymph ; but I boast myself to be sprung from 
brave Anchises, and Venus is my mother. Of these, now, one or 
other shall this day lament their beloved son ; for I think that we 210 
shall not return from the battle thus separated by childish words. 
But if thou desirest to be instructed in these matters, that thou 
mayst be well acquainted with our race — and many men know 
it — cloud-compelling Jove then begat Dardanus, our first ances- 215 
tor. And he founded Dardank; for sacred Ilium, the city of 
articulate-speaking men, was notyet built on the plain, and they 
still dwelt at the foot of Ida of many fountains. Dardanus, 
again, begat a son, king Ericthonius, who was then the wealth- 220 
iest of mortal men: three thousand mares of his fed in the 
meadows, exulting in their tender foals. With these, when 
feeding, was Boreas pleased, and, having assimilated himself to 
an azure-maned steed, covered them ; whence they, becoming 225 
pregnant, produced twelve foals ; which, when they frolicked 
upon the fruitful earth, ran over the highest fruit of the corn- 
stalks, nor snapped them : but again, when they frolicked upon 
the broad back of the ocean, they used to run upon the top of 230 
the ridge of the hoary sea. And Ericthonius begat Tros, king 
of the Trojans. From Tros, again, were descended three illus- 
trious sons, Ilus, and Assaracus, and the godlike Ganymede, who 
was the handsomest of mortal men ; and whom the gods snatched 
up into heaven to pour out wine for Jove, that, on account of 235 
his beauty, he might dwell among the immortals. And Ilus 

i Castcst. 

3 i. e. your own experience might teach you better than to encounter me. 



340 ILIAD XX— V. 237—282. 

again begat his renowned son Laomedon ; and Laomedon next 
begat Tithonus, and Priam, and Lampus, and Clytius, and Hice- 

240 taon, a branch of Mars ; and Assaracus begat Capys, and he next 
begat his son Anchises. And Anchises begat me, and. Priam the 
noble Hector. Of this family and blood do I boast myself to be. 
Jove however increases and diminishes valour among men, in 
what manner he chooses; for he is the most powerful of all. 

245 Come then, let us talk of these things no more, like children, 
standing in the middle combat of the strife. For it is in the 
power of both to utter very many insults ; nor could a ship of an 
hundred oars carry the burthen; for the tongue of mortals is 
voluble, and in it are many words of all sorts ; and on both sides 

250 is a wide field of words. Whatever word thou speakest, such 
wilt thou hear. But what need is there for us to be disputing, 
and to rail 3 at each other like women, who, enraged for some 

255 deadly strife, going into the middle of the road, rail at each other 
abuse just and not just ; for rage also urges on those things 4 . 
But with words thou shalt not turn away me from force, resolved 
as I am first to fight against thee in arms 5 . Come then, quick 
let us make trial 6 of each other with brazen spears." 

He said, and hurled his heavy spear against the awful, terrible 

260 shield, and the huge buckler resounded around at the stroke of 
the javelin. And the son of Peleus, alarmed, held the shield 
from him with his strong hand, for he supposed that the long 
spear of the brave iEneas woTfld easily penetrate it — foolishly, 

265 for he did not reflect in his mind and soul, that it is not easy for 
the glorious gifts of the gods to be subdued by mortal men ; nor 
to yield to them. Nor then did the heavy spear of the war-like 
iEneas penetrate the shield ; for the gold stayed it, the gifts of 
a god. Through two folds, however, it past, but there were still 

270 three ; for Vulcan had laid five folds over it, two brazen, two 
within of tin, and one golden — that by which the ashen spear 
was stopped. Next Achilles, in turn, launched his long spear, 
and struck against the shield of iEneas, every where equal, at 

275 the utmost verge; where ran the brass thinnest, and the ox-hide 
was thinnest upon it; and the Pelian ash burst right through, 
and the shield rang under it. And iEneas cowered, and held 
the shield from him, alarmed ; but the spear flying over his 

280 shoulder, stood in the earth eager to go on, and it had cut through 
both circles of the mighty shield. He, however, having escaped 
the long spear, stood (and infinite terror spread over his eyes 7 ) 

3 sgida$ — scil. ££»£S'V — vsixsu vsjxSjv, to rail railings. 

4 i. e. prompt to utter all sorts of things true and false. 5 With brass. 
6 Taste. ' i. e. blinded him — took all perception from him. 






ILIAD XX.— V. 283—326. 341 

panic-struck, that the weapon stuck so near him. And Achilles 
sprang eagerly upon him, drawing his sharp sword, and shouting 
fearfully. And JEneas seized in his hand a stone, a huge mass 8 , 285 
which not two men could bear, such as are mortals now ; and he. 
even alone, threw it easily. Then would JEneas have smitten 
him, while rushing on, with the rock, either upon the helmet or 
the shield, which defended him from dire destruction ; and Peli- 
des, close to him, would have deprived him of life with his 290 
sword, had not earth-shaking Neptune quickly perceived it, and 
immediately uttered this speech among the immortal gods : 

" Ye gods ! there is pity in me for the brave iEneas, who will 
soon, subdued by the son of Peleus, descend to Hades, persuaded, 
like a fool, by the words of the far-darting Apollo ; nor will he 295 
avert from him dire destruction. But why now should that 
guiltless man suffer sorrows for the sake of others' enmities 9 — 
and he always gives acceptable gifts to the gods who possess the 
wide heaven ? Come then, let us take him away from death, 300 
lest even the son of Saturn be angry, should Achilles slay this 
man; — x for it is his fate to escape, that the family of Dardanus., 
whom Jove loved above all the childen, which were descended 
from him and mortal women, perish not without offspring, and 305 
be extinct. For the son of Saturn has long hated the race of 
Priam ; and now will the might of iEneas henceforth govern 
the Trojans, and the sons of his sons, who shall be born in after 
time 2 ." 

And him answered then tne large-eyed, imperial Juno : 
u Shaker of the earth, do thou consider within thy mind about 310 
iEneas, whether thou wilt defend him or suffer him to be sub- 
dued, brave as he is, by Achilles, the son of Peleus. For we 
indeed, I and Pallas Minerva, have sworn many oaths in the 
presence of all the immortals, that we will never avert the evil 315 
day from the Trojans, not even when all Troy lighted up, shall 
burn with destructive flame, and the warlike sons of the Achreans 
set it on fire." 

And when Neptune, the shaker of the earth, heard this, he 
hastened to advance through the battle and the clash of spears ; 
and came where was iEneas, and the renowned Achilles. Im- 320 
mediately then he poured darkness upon the eyes of Achilles, 
son of Peleus, and he drew out the brass-tipped 3 ash from the 
shield of brave jEneas ; and it he laid before the feet of Achilles, 
and forcibly impelled -Eneas along, lifting him high from the 325 
ground. And over many ranks of men and many ranks of 

8 A great work— or thing. 9 »■ e. those of Apollo. 

» The possibility of counteracting fate is frequently implied. 2 i, e. for ever. 

3 sv)(aKxo£. 



342 ILIAD XX.— V. 327—371. 

horses J£neas leaped, urged along by the hand of the god ; and 

he came to the rear of the troubled fight, where the Uaueones 

were arming for war. And very near him came Neptune, shaker 

330 of the earth, and, addressing him, uttered these winged words : 

" iEneas, which of the gods bade thee, thus mad, to fight and 

combat against Achilles, who is at once superior to thee, and 

335 dearer to the immortals ? Fall back then, whenever thou shaft 

encounter him, lest, even in spite of fate, thou arrive at the 

mansion of Pluto. When, however, Achilles shall have fulfilled 

his death and destiny, then indeed, with 4 confidence, fight among 

the foremost, for no other of the Achseans shall slay thee." 

340 So saying, he left him there, when he had told him all ; and 

immediately then he dispersed the thick darkness from the eyes 

of Achilles. And he then saw again clearly with his eyes ; and, 

groaning, he communed with his own brave spirit : 

" Ye gods ! surely a great marvel this 5 1 behold with my eyes. 
345 That spear lies upon the ground, nor do I at all behold the man 
at whom I threw it, eager to kill him. Undoubtedly JEneas 
also was dear to the immortal gods ; but I thought that he boasted 
thus idly. Let him go ; there will be no heart in him again to 
350 make trial of me, who has now gladly escaped from death. 
Come then, animating the war-loving Danaans, I will go against 
the rest of the Trojans, and try them." 

He said, and sprang into the ranks, and animated every man : 

" No longer now stand aloof froagthe Trojans, ye noble Achaeans, 

355 but come, let man advance against man, and burn to engage. 

For it is difficult for me, even strong as I am, to attack so many 

warriors, and to fight with them all. Nor could Mars, who is an 

immortal god, nor Minerva, charge and toil against the front of 

360 so vast an army. Yet whatever I can do with hands, with feet, 

and with strength, I declare that I will never relax — not the 

least ; but I will go right through their line, nor do I think that 

any Trojan will rejoice, whoever may come near my javelin." 

Thus he spake, encouraging them. And illustrious Hector 

365 animated the Trojans, upbraiding — and said he would go against 

Achilles : 

" Ye bold Trojans, fear not the son of Peleus. I also could 

fight with words, even against the immortals 6 ; but with the 

spear it would be difficult, for they are more powerful than we. 

370 Nor will Achilles give effect to all his words, but part he shall 

fulfil, and part leave midway imperfect. But I will go against 

4 Taking confidence. 5 This is a great miracle. 

6 i. e. if words would do, I could fight even with the gods — or, I would chal- 
lenge the gods, 



ILIAD XX.— V. 372—409. 343 

him, even if his hands were like to fire 7 — if his hands were like 
to fire, and his might to shining iron." 

Thus he spake, animating them ; and the Trojans lifted their 
spears against the foe ; and their might was mingled together, 
and the shout arose. Then also Phoebus Apollo, standing near, 375 
addressed Hector : 

" Hector, no more by any means fight in front with Achilles, 
but await him in the throng, and from among the tumult, lest 
by some chance he strike thee with a missile weapon, or smite 
thee close with his sword." 

Thus he spake, and Hector again plunged into the thick 
column of men, dismayed when he heard the voice of the god 380 
addressing him. And Achilles leaped among the Trojans with 
a soul clothed in courage 8 , fearfully shouting ; and first slew the 
gallant Iphition, son of Otrynteus, leader of numerous forces, 
whom a Naiad bore to Otrynteus, destroyer of cities, at the 385 
foot 9 of snowy Tmolus, in the rich state of Hyda. And him, 
While eagerly rushing right forward, noble Achilles smote with 
his spear, in the middle of the head, which was all cleft asunder. 
And he, falling, gave a sound, and noble Achilles gloried over 
him : 

" Thouliest, son of Otrynteus, most terrible of all men. Here 
is thy death ; but thy birth was at the Gyga?an lake, where is 390 
thy paternal estate, beside the fishy Hyllus, and eddying Her- 
mus." 

Thus he spake, boasting; and darkness covered his (Iphition's) 
eyes, and the horses of the Achaeans crushed him with the tires 
01 the wheels in the front line. And after him Achilles smote 395 
Demoleon, son of Antenor, a brave repeller of war, in the tem- 
ples, through the brazen-studded helmet. Nor indeed did the 
brazen casque resist it, but through it the rushing javelin broke 
the bone, and the whole brain within was dispersed. Thus he 400 
subdued him, glowing with courage. And next he wounded 
with his spear, in the back, Hippodamas, in the act of leaping 
down from his chariot, when flying before him. And he breathed 
out, and groaned away his soul, as when a bull, forcibly dragged 
round the Heliconian king 1 , groans, whilst the youths are drag- 405 
ging it ; and the shaker of the earth is delighted with them : so, 
as he groaned, his fierce soul quitted his bones. And he went 
with his spear in chase of the godlike Polydorus, a son of Priam ; 
and him his father had not at all suffered to combat, because he 

7 If he were like to fire as to his hands. 

s Clothed in his mind with courage. 9 Under. 

1 Neptune ; so called, because worshipped on Mount Helicon. 



344 ILIAD XX.— V. 410—449. 

410 was his youngest among all by birth, and was dearest to him ; 
and excelled all in speed. Then indeed, through youthful folly, 
making a show of the excellence of his speed, he ran among the 
foremost combatants till he lost his life. The noble, swift-footed 
Achilles smote him with a spear in the middle of the back as he 

415 rushed by, where the golden buckles of his belt clasped together 
and the double corslet opposed. And the point of the spear 
pierced right through his navel, and he fell, groaning, upon his 
knees ; and a black cloud covered him, and, bending down, he 
gathered his entrails towards him with his hands. And Hec- 

420 tor, — as soon as he perceived his brother Polydorus holding his 
bowels in his hands, and rolled towards the earth, — a mist im- 
mediately spread over his eyes, nor could he longer bear to 
exert himself 2 afar off, but advanced against Achilles like a 
flame, brandishing his sharp spear. On the other hand, Achilles, 
as soon as he saw him, leaped up, and boasting, uttered this 
speech : 

425 " Near me is the man, who has most stung my soul, who has 
slain my most beloved comrade ; nor shall we longer timidly fly 
each other in the ranks of war. ;? 

He said, and looking sternly, addressed noble Hector : " Draw 
nearer, that thou mayst the sooner reach the goal of destruction/' ; 

430 And to him, not alarmed, the plumed Hector said : " Do not 
hope, son of Peleus, to terrify me now like a child with words : 
for I can 3 myself very well utter both taunts and threats. And 
I know that thou indeed art brave, and that I am much inferior 
to thee. But, however, these things lie on the knees of the 

435 gods 4 — whether I, though inferior, may not take from thee thy 
life, by smiting thee with my spear ; for my spear also is sharp 
at the point." 

He said, and brandishing his spear, hurled it, and Minerva 
with a breath turned it back from the glorious Achilles, breath- 

440 ing very softly ; and it came back to noble Hector, and fell before 
his feet. And Achilles, eager to slay him, rushed furiously upon 
him, shouting fearfully; and Apollo, as a god, very easily snatched 
Hector away, and covered him with a thick cloud. Thrice then 
sprang swift-footed, noble Achilles after him with his brazen 

445 spear, and thrice struck the thick cloud. And. when he rushed 
upon him, like a god, the fourth time, terribly threatening, he 
addressed to him these winged words : 

" Dog, now again hast thou escaped death. But truly evil 
came very near thee ; and Phoebus Apollo now again preserved 

2 To be turned. 3 I know. 

4 i. e. if the gods please, I, though inferior, may take, &c. 



ILIAD XX.— V. 450—493. 345 

thee ; to whom thon art wont to pray when going amidst the 450 
clang of spears. Yet I will undoubtedly finish thee, when en- 
countering thee another time — if to me also there he any of the 
gods an assistant. But for the present I will attack others of the 
Trojans, whom I may overtake." 

So saying, he smote Dryops with his spear in the middle of the 455 
neck, and he fell before his feet. But him he quitted, and 
wounding Demuchus, the son of Philetor, a warrior brave and 
mighty, in the knee with his javelin, he stopt him ; and then 
smiting him with his huge falchion, deprived him of life. And, 460 
rushing at Laogonus and Dardanus, the sons of Bias, both of them 
he dashed from the car to the ground, wounding the one with 
his spear, and striking the other, close, with his sword. Also 
Tros, son of Alastor — he ( Tros) came towards him, taking him 
by the knees, that he migh spare him, and seed him away alive, 
nor slay him, taking pity on his age, which was equal to his own 465 
— foolishly, for he knew not this, that he was not likely to per- 
suade him. For he was not a man of tender mind, nor gentle, 
but extremely fierce. He ( Tros) then clasped his knees with 
his hands, seeking to intreat him, but Achilles smote him in the 470 
liver with his sword ; and his liver fell out, and the black blood 
from it filled his bosom, and darkness covered his eyes, deprived 
of life. Then Achilles, standing near Mulius, wounded him with 
his javelin in the ear, and immediately the brazen point went 
through the other ear. And with his large-hilted sword he struck 
Echelus, the son of Antenor, in the middle of the head, and the 475 
whole blade was warmed with gore ; and purple death, and pow- 
erful fate seized his eyes. And next, where the tendons of the 
arm unite 5 there he pierced Deucalion through the hand with 
his brazen spear ; and he, with a hand weighed down 6 , awaited 480 
him, seeing death before him. And smiting his neck with his 
sword, Achilles struck the head far away along with its helmet, 
and the marrow sprang from the spine; and Deucalion lay 
stretched upon the ground. Then he hastened in pursuit of 
Rigmus, renowned son of Pireus, who had come from fertile 485 
Thrace — him he struck in the middle with his javelin, and the 
brass struck in his belly ; and he fell from his car. And Achilles 
wounded in the back, with his sharp spear, Arei'thou, the atten- 
dant, while turning back the horses, and thrust him from the car : 
and his steeds were affrighted. And as blazing fire rages through 490 
the deep glens of a dry mountain, and the thick forest burns, and 
the driving wind whirls about on all sides the flame ; thus he 
rushed in every direction with his spear, like to a god, pressing 

5 i. e. with the hand— the wrist. 6 Rendered heavy as to the hand. 



346 ILIAD XX.— V. 494-504. 

upon those doomed to slaughter 7 , and the black earth flowed with 
495 blood. And as when any one yokes broad-fronted bulls to tread 
out the white barley on a well-rolled floor, and it soon becomes 
empty 8 beneath the feet of the loud-lowing bulls ; so the solid- 
hoofed horses, driven by the brave Achilles, trampled down at 
once corpses and shields. And the whole axle-tree beneath was 
500 splashed with blood, and the panels round the car, which drops 
from the horses' hoofs sprinkled 9 , as well as from the felloes. 
And the son of Peleus was eager to bear away renown, and 
drench his invincible hands with gore. 

7 About to be slain. 8 i. e. the corn gets beaten of the ears. 

9 Struck. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMEK 



BOOK XXL 



ARGUMENT. 

Achilles, having divided the Trojan army, drives one part to the city, and the other 
into the Scamander, where he takes twelve youths alive to be sacrificed at the 
tomb of Patroclus. Lycaon, who had been formerly taken, is now slain by 
Achilles. The river endeavours to overwhelm Achilles, but is opposed by Vul- 
can, and desists. The battles of the gods. Apollo, in the form of Agenor, leads 
Achilles away from the town, and the Trojans in the mean time rush in, and 
shut the gates. 

But, when at last they came to the stream of the fair-flowing 
river the eddying Xanthus, to which immortal Jove gave birth ; 
there dividing them, some 1 he drove to the plain towards the 
city, where 2 the Achasans the day before had fled in confusion, 5 
when the illustrious Hector raged. By that road flying in terror, 
they poured along ; but Juno, to check them, spread a dense 
cloud before them. And the other half were driven into the 
deep-flowing, silver-eddying river. 'And in they dashed with a 
mighty clamour ; and the deep streams resounded, and the banks 10 
echoed all around ; and, with an outcry, they swam here and 
there, driven about in the eddies. And as, when locusts, driven 
out by the force of the fire, soar into the air, to fly towards a 
river, but the unwearied flame, suddenly excited, blazes, and 
they drop, astounded, into the water ; so was the resounding 15 
stream of the deep-flowing Xanthus, filled pell-mell with horses 
and men, routed by Achilles. And the Jove-born hero left there 
his spear upon the banks, reclined against a tamarisk ; and he 
sprang in, like a god, with nothing but his sword 3 , and meditated 

1 i. e. one part — with reference to line 7. 

* i. e. where Patroclus was repulsed and slain. 3 Having his sword alone. 



348 ILIAD XXL— V. 20—60. 

20 dreadful deeds in his mind. In every direction 4 he smote, and a 
shocking groaning arose of those who were smitten by the sword, 
and the water was reddened with blood. And as other fishes, 
flying from a mighty dolphin, fill the recesses of a safe-anchoring 

25 harbour, frightened — for he devours whichever he catches — so 
the Trojans hid themselves under the banks along the streams 
of the rapid river. And when his hands were weary with slay- 
ing, he selected twelve youth alive out of the river, as an expia- 
tion of the dead Patroclus, son of Menoetius. These he led- out, 

30 panic-struck, like fawns ; and bound their hands behind them 
with the well-cut straps 5 , which they themselves wore upon 
their twisted tunics; and gave them to his comrades to take 
down to the hollow ships. And he rushed back again, eager to 
slay. 

Then did he encounter Lycaon, the son of the Dardan Priam, 

35 escaping from the river — whom he himself had once carried 
away, seizing him against his will, at his father's farm, going 
thither in the night : and he (Lycaon), with a sharp weapon, 
was cutting a wild fig-tree, the young boughs of it, to be the 
panels of a car 6 . Upon him then came the noble Achilles, an 

40 unlooked-for evil* and then, conveying him in his ships, he took 
him over to well-inhabited Lemnos ; and the son of Jason gave 
his price 7 . And from thence Eetion, of Imbros, his friend, 
redeemed him, and gave him many presents, and sent him to the 

45 noble Arisba ; whence, secretly flying, he reached his father's 
house. And returning from Lemnos, he had delighted his soul 
for eleven days with his friends • but now on the twelfth a god 
threw him again into the hands of Achilles, who was going to 
send him to Hades, though unwilling to go. And when swift- 

50 footed noble Achilles beheld him naked, without helmet and 
shield — neither had he a spear, but had cast all from him on the 
ground, for the sweat overcame him, flying from the river, and 
weariness broke down his limbs under him — then enraged 
Achilles communed with his own brave soul : 

" Gods ! a great miracle this I behold with my eyes. Without 

55 doubt those bold Trojans whom I have slain will rise again from 
the pitchy shade — such as even this man has arrived, escaping 
from his fatal day, though sold 8 into beautiful Lemnos ; nor has 
the depth of the salt sea restrained him, which restrains many 

60 against their will. Come then, he shall taste the point of my 

4 Around — right and left. 

5 These might be belts ; and the twisted tunics, chain-mail. 

6 avruyss- — which were thus, sometimes, a sort of basket-work. 

7 i. e. bought him as a slave. 8 i. e. transported and sold. 



ILIAD XXL— V. 61—105. 349 

spear, that I may see in my mind, and learn, whether he will in 
like manner come even thence, or whether the bounteous earth 
will hold him, which holds under it even the mighty." 

Thus he meditated, standing still ; and Lycaon came close to 
him, panic-struck, eager to touch his knees ; for much did he 65 
wish in his mind to escape evil death and black fate. Mean 
while noble Achilles lifted his long spear, eager to strike j but 
Lycaon ran under it, and, stooping, caught him by the knees, 
and the spear stood in the earth over his back, eager to be glutted 70 
with human blood. And grasping his knees with one hand, he 
supplicated, and with the other held the sharp spear, nor let it 
go ; and, beseeching, addressed to him these winged words : 

" I supplicate thee, O Achilles : and do thou have respect unto 
me, and pity me. I am to thee in the place of a revered 9 sup- 
plicant, O Jove-supported chief. For with thee first did I taste 75 
the fruit of Ceres on that day, when thou didst seize me in the 
well-cultivated field, and didst sell me, carrying me far away 
from my father and friends to beautiful Lemnos; and I brought 
thee a price of an hundred oxen. And now I have been re- 80 
deemed 1 , giving thrice as many ; and this is but my twelfth 
morning, since, after suffering much, I came to Troy. And now 
again has destructive fate put me into thy hands. I seem some- 
how to be hated by father Jove, who has again given me to thee. 
Short-lived did my mother Laothoe, daughter of aged Altes, 85 
bear me — of Altes, who governs the war-loving Leleges, pos- 
sessing lofty Pedasus, near the Satnioeis : whose daughter Priam 
had in marriage, as well as many others — of her were we two 
born, and thou wilt slaughter both. One thou hast already sub- 
dued among the foremost infantry, godlike Polydorus, when thou 90 
didst smite him with thy sharp spear ; and now evil will be upon 
me here ; for I expect not that I shall escape thy hands, since 
a god has brought me near thee. But I will tell thee another 
thing, and do thou cast it 2 in thy mind. Kill me not, since I am 95 
not of the same womb with Hector, who slew thy companion, 
both gentle and brave." 

Thus then the illustrious son of Priam addressed him, intreat- 
ing with words ; but heard a rough reply : 

" Fool, talk not to me of ransom, nor name it. Before Patro- 100 
clus fulfilled his fatal day, then it was more agreeable to me in 
my mind to spare the Trojans, and many I took alive, and sold. 
But now there is not one of all the Trojans, whom a god shall 
throw into my hands in front of Ilium, who shall escape death, 105 

9 i. e. entitled to respect — one who flies for refuge, as to an asylum. 

1 i. e. from Lemnos. 2 i. e. attend to it. 



350 ILIAD XXL— V. 106—148. 

and above all the sons of Priam. And die thou also, friend — 
why lamentest thou thus? Patroclus likewise died, who was 
much braver than thou. Seest thou not what I am ? — both 
handsome and mighty, and of how gallant a father I am, and a 

110 goddess mother bore me: yet even upon me death and power- 
ful fate will come, either in the morning, or the evening, or at 
noon, when some one shall deprive me of life with a weapon, 
whether wounding me with a spear, or an arrow from a string." 
Thus he spake, and then loosened the knees and beloved heart 

115 of him. The spear indeed he left— and the other sat, stretch- 
ing out both hands. But Achilles, drawing his sharp sword, 
smote him on the collar bone near the neck. And the whole 
two edged sword entered in ; and, extended at length, Lycaon 

120 lay prone upon the ground, and the black blood flowed out, and 
stained the earth. Then Achilles, seizing him by the foot, threw 
him into the river, to be carried down : and boasting, addressed 
to him these winged words : 

" Lie there now among the fishes, which will lick up the 
blood of thy wound without any concern for thee 3 ; nor shall thy 
mother weep, placing thee upon the bier, but the eddying 

1^5 Scamander shall bear thee even to the wide bosom of the sea. 
Some fish in the wave, leaping up, will come up to the dark 
ripple 4 — which will eat the white fat of Lycaon. Perish Tro- 
jans, till we possess the city of sacred Ilium ; ye indeed, flying, 

130, and I slaughtering in your rear j nor shall the wide-flowing, 
silver-eddying river avail you, to which ye have long sacrificed 
.many bulls, and cast in alive solid-hoofed horses in its waves. 
But even thus shall ye die an evil death, till ye all suffer ven- 
geance for the fall of Patroclus, and the slaughter of those Ach- 

135 geans, whom ye slew at the swift ships, during my absence 5 ." 

Thus then he spake ; but the river-god was more enraged in 
his heart, and meditated in his mind how he might cause the 
noble Achilles to cease from martial toil 6 , and avert slaughter 
from the Trojans. But mean while the son of Peleus, holding 

140 hi s l on g spear, sprang upon Asteropseus, son of Pelegon, eager 
to kill him; and him the wide-flowing Axius begot, and Peribcea, 
eldest of the daughters of Accessamenus, for with her had the 
deep river mingled. Against him then Achilles rushed ; but 

145 he, emerging from the river, stood before him, holding two 
spears ; and Xanthus had sent courage into his heart, for he was 
filled with anger on account of the youths slain in battle, whom 
Achilles had slaughtered in his stream, and pitied not. And 

3 i. e. without concern for thy funeral, 4 When the body floats. 

5 I being apart. fi *rovo£ — repeatedly for ^a^rj. 



ILIAD XXL- V. 149—190. 351 

when, advancing, they were now near to each other, swift-footed 
noble Achilles first addressed him : 

" Who, of what men 7 art thou, who venturest to come against 150 
me ? They are sons of unhappy men, who encounter my 
might." 

And him, in return, the illustrious son of Pelegon addressed : 
"Brave son of Peleus, why askest thou my origin? I come 
from fertile Pseonia, a far distant land, leading hither Pasonian 155 
warriors, armed with long spears ; and this is now the eleventh 
morning since I came to Troy. But my descent is from the 
wide-flowing Axius — Axius who pours the loveliest water along 
the earth, who begot Pelegon, renowned for the spear : and it 160 
is he who, they say, begat me. Now then, illustrious Achilles, 
let us fight." 

Thus he spake, threatening : and noble Achilles raised the 
Pelian ash, and the hero Asteropaeus, both spears at the same 
time, for he was ambidexter. With the one spear then he 165 
struck the shield, nor did it pierce the shield quite through ; 
for the gold stayed it, the gift of a god ; and the other slightly 
wounded him upon the arm of the right hand 8 ; and the black 
blood sprung out : but the spear, passing over him, stuck in the 
earth, though eagar to satiate itself in his body. In his turn, 
next, Achilles hurled his straight-flying ashen spear at Astero- 170 
pseus, ardently desiring to slay him. Him, however, he missed, 
and struck the lofty bank, and drove the ashen spear half way 
into the bank. Then Pelides, drawing his sharp sword from his 
thigh, sprang eagerly upon him ; and the other was unable to 
tear out, with strong hand, Achilles' beam from the bank. Thrice 175 
did he shake it, desirous to draw it forth, and thrice did he fail 
in strength ; but the fourth time, he determined within his 
mind, bending, to break the ashen spear of iEacides ; but Achilles 
first, close at hand, deprived him of life with his sword ; for he ISO 
smote him upon the belly near the naval, and all his bowels 
poured out upon the ground, and darkness covered his eyes as 
he expired. Then Achilles, leaping upon his breast, stripped 
off his armour, and, boasting, uttered this speech : 

" So lie : it is a difficult thing for thee, thou descended from a 
river, to combat with the sons of all-powerful Jove. Thou 185 
sayest that thou wert of the race of a wide-flowing river, but I 
boast myself to be of the family of mighty Jupiter. And a man, 
ruling many Myrmidons, begot me, Peleus, son of JEacus ; and 
iEacus was of Jove : tie 9 more powerful Jove is than seaward- 190 

7 Whence of men. 8 ,-. e . above, or at the wrist. 

9 tw — by how much, &c. 



352 ILIAD XXL— V. 192—236. 

flowing rivers, the more powerful is his offspring than that of a 
river. For he too is a great river beside thee, if it can avail thee 
aught ; but it is not possible to light against Jove, son of Saturn. 
With him neither does king Achelous vie, nor the vast might 

195 of deep-flowing Oceanus, from whom flow all rivers, and every 
sea, and all fountains, and deep wells : but even he dreads the 
bolt of mighty Jove, and the dreadful thunder, when it bellows 
from heaven." 

200 He said, and plucked his brazen spear from the bank: and 
left Asteropasus on the spot, when he had taken away his life, 
lying among the sand, and the dark water laved him. Round 
him then were busy the eels and fishes, devouring and nibbling 

205 the fat upon his kidneys. But he {Achilles) hastened in pursuit 
of the Pseonian cavalry 1 , who were still in flight along the eddy- 
ing river, when they beheld their chief gallantly subdued in 
fierce battle by the hands and sword of Pelides. Then slew he 

210 Thersilochus, and Mydon, and Astypylus, and Mnesus, and Thra- 
sius, and iEnius, and Ophelestes. And the swift Achilles would 
still have slain more Peeonians, had not the deep whirling river, 
filled with anger, addressed him, in the shape of a man, and sent 
a voice from its profound stream : 

" O Achilles, thou art strong beyond other men, and beyond 

215 them dost dreadful deeds ; for the gods themselves always aid 
thee. If the son of Saturn has given thee to destroy all the 
Trojans — driving them out of me, do thy fearful deeds along the 
plain. For now my lovely streams are filled with corpses, nor 
can I longer, obstructed by the dead, pour my water down to the 

220 yast sea ; for thou killest all unsparingly. Come then, now 
cease — a stupor possesses me, O chief of the people." 

And him swift-footed Achilles, answering, addressed ; "These 
things shall be, O Scamander, nourished by Jove, as thou biddest. 
But I will not desist from slaughtering the truce-breaking Tro- 

225 jans, till I shut them up in the city, and make trial of Hector, 
hand to hand, whether, he shall slay me, or I him." 

So saying, he sprang after the Trojans like a god; and the 
deep-whirling river then addressed Apollo : 

" Alas ! god of the silver bow, son of Jove, thou hast not ob- 

230 served the councils of Jove, who enjoined thee very much to 
stand by and aid the Trojans, till the late-setting evening came, 
and overshadowed the fertile earth." 

He said ; and spear-skilled Achilles leaped into the middle, 
springing down from the bank. And Xanthus rushed at him, rag- 

235 ing with swollen stream 2 , and, in tumults, stirred up all his floods : 

1 Fighting from horses. 2 With a swelling. 






ILIAD XXL— V. 236—280. 353 

and impelled along many corpses — those which were in him in 
abundance, whom Achilles had slain. These he cast forth, roar- 
ing like a bull, upon the shore ; and the living he preserved in 
his beautiful streams, concealing them among his large deep 240 
waves. And terrible round Achilles rose the tumultuous wave, 
and the stream, falling upon his shield, pushed him along, nor 
could he stand firm on his feet. But he seized with his hands 
a flourishing large elm ; and it, falling from its roots, brought 
down the whole bank, and choaked the beautiful streams with 
its thick branches, and made a bridge over the river itself, falling 245 
entirely in 3 . Then leaping up from the flood, Achilles hastened 
to fly towards the plain with rapid feet, struck with terror. 
Nor yet, however, did the mighty god desist, but rose to rush 
after him, blackening over the surface, that he might cause the 
noble Achilles to cease from warlike toil, and avert destruction 
from the Trojans. But Pelides leaped from him as far as a 250 
spear's cast, with the force of a dark eagle, when darting on its 
prey 4 , which is at once the strongest and fleetest of birds. Like 
to it he rushed, and the brass rung awfully upon his breast ; and, 
bending obliquely, he fled, and Xanthus flowing behind, followed 255 
with a mighty noise. And as when a ditcher 5 leads a stream of 
water from a dark fountain through plantations and gardens, 
holding a spade in his hands, and casting out the obstructions 
from the channel ; and all the pebbles beneath are shaken as it 260 
flows along, and, rapidly descending, it murmurs in a gentle de- 
clivity, and overtakes even him who guides it : — so the water 
of the river always overtook Achilles, though swift ; for gods are 
more powerful than men. And as often as the swift-footed 265 
noble Achilles attempted to stand against it, and to know whether 
all the immortals, who possess the wide heaven, put him to flight, 
so often did a vast billow of the river flowing from Jove, wash 
his shoulders above : and he leaped high with his feet, sorrowful 270 
in his mind, but the rapid stream subdued his knees under him, 
and flowing on, pulled away the sand from beneath his feet. 
And Pelides groaned, looking towards the wide heaven : 

" Father Jove, as none of the gods in pity attempts to save 
me from the river, then must I die 6 . But none other of the 275 
heavenly powers is so blame-worthy in my eyes as my mother, 
who has cheated me with falsehoods — who said that I should 
perish by the fleet arrows of Apollo under the wall of the armed 
Trojans. Oh that Hector had slain me, who was bred here the 
bravest ; then would a brave man have slain me, and he have 280 

3 And bridged himself, all falling in. 4 The hunter. 

5 A man digging a water course. 6 Suffer something. 

25 



354 ILIAD XXL— V. 281—320. 

slain a brave man. But now is it my fate to be carried off by an 
inglorious death, overwhelmed in a mighty river, like a swine- 
herd boy, whom the torrent overwhelms, when crossing in the 
winter." 

Thus he spake ; and Neptune and Minerva, very quickly ap- 

2S5 proaching, stood near hiin. ( bnt they had assimilated their bodies 
to men,) and taking his hand with their hand, confirmed him 
with words. And Neptune, the shaker of the earth, began to 
them these words : 

"Son of Peleus, neither now greatly fear, nor be at all dis- 
mayed ; for so great assistants from among the gods are we to 

290 thee, with the approbation of Jove 7 , 1 and Pallas Minerva — since 
it is not decreed that thou shouldst be subdued by a river. For 
it shall soon subside, and thou thyself shalt see it. Nevertheless 
let us prudently suggest to thee — if thou wilt be persuaded — 

295 not to stop thy hands from destructive war, till thou hast shut 
up the Trojan army within the renowned walls of Troy, who- 
ever escapes 8 : and having taken away the life of Hector, return 
thou again to the ships ; for we grant thee to carry oif glory." 

Having thus spoken, they departed to the immortals. And 
he proceeded — for the command of the gods strongly impelled 

300 him — towards the plain, and it was all rilled with the overflowed 
water. And many rich coats of armour and bodies of youths, 
slain in battle, floated along ; but his knees sprang aloft against 
the course of the direct-flowing stream — nor did the wide-flow- 

305 ing stream check him, for Minerva had cast into him great 
strength. 

And Scamander did not remit his violence, but raged still 
more around Pelides, and rising into the air, swelled the water 
of his flood ; and, shouting, animated Simoeis : 

"Let us both, at least, my beloved brother, restrain the force 
of the mortal ; otherwise he will soon overturn the vast city of 

310 Priam, and the Trojans will not await him in battle. Bring me 
then aid with haste, and fill thy floods from thy fountains of 
water, and rouse up all thy rills : and lift up a huge wave, and 
excite a mighty tumult of trunks of trees, and stones, that we 

315 may repress this furious man, who is now master, and meditates 
deeds equal to the gods. For I say that neither will his strength 
avail him, nor his beauty in aught, nor yet his rich armour, 
which shall lie somewhere in the very bottom of my channel 9 , 
covered over with mud. And himself will I involve in sand, 

320 pouring vast quantities of mud round him. nor shall the Achae- 



7 Jove approving. s ». e. all that escape the sword. 9 Xiuvtj?. 



ILIAD XXI.— V. 321-359. 355 

ans be able 1 to collect his bones ; with so much slime shall I 
cover him over. There likewise will be his tomb ; nor will 
there be any want to him of a funeral-pile 2 , when the Achseans 
perform his obsequies." 

He said, and, rushing high, in tumult he pressed upon Achilles, 
roaring, with foam, with blood, and with corpses. And then the 3*25 
purple water of the river flowing from Jove, stood erected, and 
bore down the son of Peleus. And Juno cried aloud, fearing for 
Achilles, lest the mighty deep-flooding river should sweep him 
away ; and immediately addressed Vulcan, her own beloved son: 330 

" Arise, Vulcan 3 , my son : for against thee do we deem the 
flooding Xanthus to be equally matched in battle: but assist 
with all haste, and show forth thy abundant flame. Meanwhile 
I will go and excite a furious storm of the west wind and rapid 
south from the sea. which, bringing a destructive conflagration, 335 
may consume the heads and armour of the Trojans. And do 
thou burn the trees upon the banks of Xanthus, and set himself 
on fire ; nor let him at all turn thee away with kind words or 
with threatening: neither do thou first restrain thy violence ; 
but when I. shouting, shall give the signal, then check thy un- 340 
wearied fire." 

Thus she spake ; and Vulcan darted forth his fierce-burning 
fire. And first of all he lighted a fire in the plain, and burnt up 
the many bodies, which were in it 4 in abundance, whom Achilles 
had slain ; and the whole plain was dried up, and the bright 345 
water restrained. And as when an autumnal north wind imme- 
diately dries up a newly- watered garden, and gladdens the person 
whosoever cultivates it ; so was the whole plain dried up, and 
he consumed the dead ; and he turned his bright flame against 
the river. And the elms were burnt up, and the willows, and 350 
the tamarisks ; and the lotus was consumed, and the rushes and 
the reeds, which grew in abundance round the beautiful streams 
of the river. And the eels, and the fishes, those in the waves, 
which in the fair streams dived here and there, were harassed, 355 
exhausted by the breath of the various artificer Vulcan. And 
the force of the river was burnt up, and he addressed this speech 
to him, and said : 

u None of the gods, O Vulcan, can oppose thee on equal terms, 
neither can 1 contend with thee, thus burning with thy fire. 
Cease from the strife, and let the noble Achilles at once expel 

% I Know. £ t. e. the accumulated sand will be quite enough, 

3 xuXXoro&ov — with lame or defective feet. 

4 i. e. the plain, which lcquines euro (rtoiov); but the verso is the same as line 
236 of this book, where aorafAoJ is usesvUx 



356 ILIAD XXL— V. 360—399. 

360 the Trojans from their city too 5 — what have I to do with contest 
or with assistance ?" 

He spake # scorched with fire ; and his fair streams boiled up. 
And as a cauldron, pressed by much fire, bubbles up within tu- 
multuously on all sides, while melting the fat of a well-fed sow, 

365 and split sticks lie beneath it ; so were his fair streams heated 
with the fire, and the water boiled ; nor could he flow on, but 
was stopt. and the vapour, created by the power of crafty Vulcan, 
suffocated him. At length, supplicating much, he addressed 
Juno in these winged words : 

" Why, O Juno, does thy son press upon my stream, to annoy 

370 me above others ? I am not surely so much to blame as are all 
the others, as many as are aiders of the Trojans. But, however, 
I will desist, if thou commandest it : and let him also cease ; and 
I will likewise swear this, never, to avert the evil day from the 

375 Trojans — not when all burning Troy shall be consumed with 
destructive fire, and the warlike sons of the Achseans light the 
flame." 

And when Juno, the white-armed goddess, heard this, she 
immediately addressed her beloved son Vulcan : 

" Vulcan, my illustrious son, desist ; for it is not proper thus 

380 to persecute an immortal god for the sake of mortals." 

Thus she spake ; and Vulcan extinguished his raging fire ; 
and then the refluent water poured downward its beautiful 
streams. . And when the force of Xanthus was subdued, then, 
indeed they 6 were quiet ; for Juno restrained them, though en- 
gaged with the Trojans. 

385 But among the other gods dire contention fell toilsome ; and 
their minds in their bosoms were borne away in opposite direc- 
tions. And with a vast tumult they engaged, and the wide 
earth re-bellowed ; . and the mighty heaven resounded 7 around. 
And Jove heard it, sitting upon Olympus, and laughed within 

390 his heart for joy, when he beheld the gods meeting in contest- 
Then no longer stood they asunder : for shield-piercing Mars 
began, and rushed first upon Minerva, holding his brazen spear; 
and uttered this opprobrious speech : 

" Why thus, O impudent, with boundless confidence, commit- 

395 test thou the gods to battle ? Has thy mighty spirit prompted 
thee ? Or, rememberest thou not, when thou didst impel Dio- 
medes, the son of Tydeus, to strike me, and, thyself seizing. the 
spear, in the sight of all, didst drive it right against me, and 
lacerate my fair flesh ? Now, therefore, I think, in turn, that 
thou shalt pay for all that thou hast wrought against me." 

5 i, e. as well as from me. 6 Xanthus and Vulcan. 7 Brayed as a trumpet 



ILIAD XXL— V. 400—442. 357 

So saying, he struck against the iEgis, fringed, terrible, which 400 
not the bolt of Jove subdues — on that blood-polluted Mars smote 
her with his long spear. But she, retiring back, seized in her 
strong hand a stone lying in the plain, black, and rugged, and 
huge — one which men of former days had placed to be the 405 
boundary of a field. With this she struck fierce Mars upon the 
neck, and loosened his knees. And seven acres he covered, fall- 
ing, and defiled his hair in the dust ; and his armour rang round 
him. And Pallas Minerva laughed, and boasting over him, 
addressed to him these winged words : 

"Fool, hast thou not yet perceived how much I boast myself 410 
to be superior to thee, that thou opposest thy strength to me? 
Thus shalt thou expiate the Furies of thy mother, who plans 
mischief against thee, enraged because thou hast deserted the 
Achaeans, and dost assist the truce-breaking Trojans." 

Thus then having spoken she turned away her shining eyes. 415 
And Venus, the daughter of Jove, taking him by the hand, led 
him away, groaning very heavily : and with difficulty he col- 
lected his spirit. And her, as soon as Juno, the white-armed 
goddess, perceived, she immediately addressed to Minerva these 
winged words : 

a Ah ! child of the segis-bearing Jove, invincible — again that 420 
impudent wretch leads Mars, the destroyer of men, through the 
throng, from the glowing battle. But follow her." 

Thus she spake ; and Minerva rushed after, and rejoiced in 
her mind ; and,^springing upon her, struck her with a strong 
hand in the breast, and relaxed her knees and dear heart. Then 425 
both of them lay upon the fertile earth ; and she, boasting, ad- 
dressed to them these winged words : 

"Would now that all were such, as many as are allies to the 
Trojans, when they fight against the armed Argives, and thus 
bold and daring, as Venus comes a support to Mars, to encounter 430 
my might ; in that case indeed should we have long ago ceased 
from battle, after destroying the well-built city of Ilium." 

Thus she spake : and the white-armed goddess Juno smiled. 435 

Meanwhile king Neptune 9 addressed Apollo : 

" Phoebus, why stand we two apart ? It is unbecoming now 
the others have begun 1 . This were disgraceful, if we return 
without fighting to Olympus, to the brass-floored mansion of 
Jove. Commence, for thou art younger by birth ; for it would, 
not be becoming in me, since I am the elder, and know more 440 
things. Thou fool, how senseless -e heart thou possessest ; re- 
memberest thou nothing of the ills 2 we alone of the gods suffered 

8 Earth-shaker. J Neither is it becoming, the others commencing. 

2 Of those (xaxwv) evils, as many as, &c. 



358 ILIAD XXI. —V. 443-484. 

round Ilium, what time, coming from Jove to haughty LaOme- 

445 don, we toiled during the space of a year for a stipulated hire, 

and he commanding, gave directions? I indeed erected a city 

and wall for the Trojans, extensive and very handsome, that the 

city might be impregnable ; and thou, O Phoebus, didst feed his 

slow-paced, crumple-horned oxen, among the glens of the many- 

valed, woody Ida. And when at last the lovely Hours had 

450 brought round the period of payment, then did violent Laomedon 

tyrannically withhold from us all our hire 3 , and, threatening, send 

us away. And 4 besides, he threatened that he would bind our 

455 feet and hands above, and sell us for slaves in distant islands ; and 

affirmed that he Would cut off the ears of both with brass : and 

we forthwith returned back with indignant mind, enraged on 

account of the hire which, having promised, he did not pay. For 

this then dost thou now favour his people ? Nor strivest along 

460 with us, in order that the truce-breaking Trojans may basely 

perish from the root, along with their children and chaste 

wives ?" 

And him in reply Apollo, the far-darting king, addressed : 
a Shaker of the earth, thou wouldst judge me to be by no means 
prudent, if I should now fight with thee, for the sake of misera- 
465 ble mortals, who, like to the leaves, are at any time very bloom- 
ing, eating the fruit of the soil, and at another again perish, 
deprived of life. Rather let us cease from combat, as soon as 
possible ; and let them decide the matter themselves." 

Thus having spoken, he turned back ; for in, truth he feared 
470 to join battle with the brother of his father. And his sister, 
the rural Diana, mistress of wild beasts, severely reproved him, 
and uttered this upbraiding speech: 

" Pliest thou, Far-darter ? And resignest thou the whole 
victory to Neptune ? And givest thou glory to him without a 
struggle ? Fool, why now dost thou thus hold an useless bow ? 
475 No longer now let me hear thee boasting in the halls of our 
father, as heretofore thou wert wont among the immortal gods : 
that thou wouldst combat in opposition against Neptune." 

Thus she spake : but the far-darting Apollo addressed her not 
at all. And the chaste spouse of Jove, inflamed with anger, chid 
480 the fair archeress 5 in reproving words i 

" How dost thou now dare, fearless, to stand against me ? I 
am a difficult one to be opposed in my might by thee, who art 
nothing but an archer ; for Jove has made thee a lion among 

3 He treated us tyrannically as to our pay. 

4 <7uv, & c . Together — at the same time. 

5 Delighting in arrows. 



ILIAD XXL— V. 485—522. 359 

women 5 , and given thee to kill whomsoever of them 7 thou wilt. 485 
It is for thee, however, preferable to slay savage beasts among 
the mountains, or wild stags, rather than to contend in force with 
superiors. But if thou desirest to have a lesson in battle, come 
on ; that thou may est well know how much superior I am to 
to thee, since thou dost oppose my strength." 

She said, and with her left hand seized both her (Diana's) 
hands at the wrist, and with her right plucked the bow 8 from 490 
her shoulders ; and with it, smiling, she beat her, whilst writhing, 
about the ears ; and the rapid arrows fell out 9 . And then the 
goddess fled, weeping, like a dove, which flies from a hawk to a 
hollow rock, her hiding place, nor was it decreed that she should 495 
be taken by it — so fled Diana, weeping, and left there her bow. 

And Mercury 1 , the messenger, thus addressed Latona : " La- 
tona, I will by no means fight with thee ; for it is a hazardous 
thing to combat with the wives of cloud-compelling Jove ; but 
thou art very welcome among the immortal gods, to boast that 500 
thou hast conquered me by fierce violence." 

Thus indeed he spake; and Latona collected together the 
bent bow and the arrows which had fallen 2 here and there amid 
the whirl of dust. And she, having taken the bow and arrows 
of her daughter, went back ; and Diana went to Olympus, to the 505 
brass-floored mansion of Jove, and weeping, sat down at the 
knees of her father ; and around them her ambrosial robe trem- 
bled : and her the Saturnian father took towards him 3 , and 
sweetly smiling, interrogated her : 

u Which of the heavenly powers, my beloved child, has now 
rashly done thee such things, as if thou hadst openly perpetrated 510 
some evil 4 ?" 

And to him in return, the fair-crowned huntress 5 said : " Thy 
spouse has ill-treated me, O father, the white-armed Juno, from 
whom contention and strife hang over the immortals." 

Thus they such things spoke to one another. Meanwhile 
Phoebus Apollo entered into sacred Ilium : for the wall of the 515 
well-built city was a care to him, lest the Danaans, in spite of 
fate, should that day destroy it. And the other everliving gods 
repaired to Olympus, some, indeed, indignant, and others greatly 
boasting ; and they sat down beside the dark-clouded Jove. 520 
And Achilles slew at once the Trojans themselves, and their 
solid-hoofed horses. And as when a smoke, ascending from a 

6 i. e. but not among goddesses. t i. e. obstetrically. 8 The arrows. 

9 i. e. of the quiver — as she writhed about. 

1 The Argicide — the inter-messenger. 2 Having fallen. 3 Saluted her. 
4 Having openly perpetrated. — H. 374. s Loving the tumult of huntsmen. 



360 ILIAD XXL— V. 523—565. 

burning city, reaches to the wide heaven — for the anger of the 
gods has set it on iire — and it gives toil to all, and brings trouble 

525 upon many : so Achilles caused toil and troubles to the Trojans. 
And the aged Priam stood upon a sacred tower, and marked 
huge Achilles ; and the routed Trojans fled in confusion before 
him, nor was there any might in them 6 . And, groaning, he de- 
scended from the tower to the ground, to excite 7 the noble 

530 guards at the gates along the ramparts. 

" Hold the gates open in your hands until the flying people 
come into the city — for Achilles is near, putting them to the 
rout. Now do I fear 8 there will be deadly deeds. And as soon 
as they respire, inclosed within the wall, put to again the close- 

535 fitted gates 9 , for I tremble lest this destructive man rush within 
the wall." 

Thus, he spake ; and they opened the gates and drew back 
the bolts ; and when opened, they afforded safety. And Apollo 
sprang out to meet them, that he might ward off destruction 

540 from the Trojans. Then they, parched with thirst, and covered 
with dust, fled from the plain right towards the city and the 
lofty wall ; and he (Achilles) furiously pursued with his spear ; 
for fierce madness constantly possessed his heart, and he burnt 
to obtain glory. Then would the sons of the Ach&ans have 

545 taken the lofty-gated Troy, had not Phoebus Apollo animated 
Agenor, a hero, son of Antenor, both illustrious and brave. Into 
his heart he cast confidence, and himself stood near him, leaning 
against the beech-tree, that he might avert the heavy hands of 
death ; and he was covered with a large cloud. And Agenor as 

550 goon as he perceived Achilles, the destroyer of cities, stopt, and 
his heart debated much as he stood ; and, groaning, he thus com- 
muned with his own brave spirit : 

'.' Ah me ! if I fly from the terrible Achilles, where the others, 

555 routed, are flying, even thus will he seize me, and cut off my 
cowardly head 1 ; and if I leave these to be routed by Achilles, 
the son of Peleus, and on my feet fly in another direction from 
the wall towards the Uian plain, until I come to the glens of Ida, 

560 and enter its thickets; and then, after washing myself at even- 
ing in the river, I return back to Troy, purified from sweat- 
but why does my spirit discuss these things within me ? I fear 
lest he may observe me departing from the city towards the 
plain, and hastily pursuing, overtake me with his rapid feet ; and 

5Q5 | nen no longer will it be possible to escape death and the fates : 

6 i, e. they could no longer resist. 7 Exciting. 8 Think. 

9 tfctMibzc, — the doors, or rather leaves, of the gates. 
1 Cut off the head from me a coward — or, cut my throat. 



ILIAD XXI.-V. 560—605. 361 

for he is very powerful beyond all men. And if I go against him 
in front of the city — for his body too ; without doubt, is vulnera- 
ble by sharp brass, and one soul only is in it, and men say that 
he is mortal ; but Jove, the son of Saturn, affords him glory/' 570 

So saying, prepared, he awaited Achilles; and his gallant 
heart within him burned to combat and to fight. As a pard ad- 
vances from a deep thicket against a huntsman, nor is aught 
troubled in his heart, nor fears, when it hears the hunting cry — 575 
for if even he has first 2 either wounded it from afar, or smitten 
it close at hand, nevertheless, although tranfixed with a spear, 
it ceases not from combat, till either it engage at close quarters, 
or be subdued. Thus the noble Agenor, son of the renowned 
Antenor, would not fly till he had made trial of Achilles ; but, 580 
on the contrary, held before him his shield, every where equal, 
and took aim at him (Achilles) with his spear, and cried aloud: 
" Thou art, no doubt, in great hopes within thy mind, O illus- 
trious Achilles, that thou shalt this day lay waste the city of 
the glorious Trojans. Fool, still many woes will yet be effected 585 
over it, for we are numerous and brave warriors in it, who will 
defend Ilium for the sake of our beloved parents, our wives, and 
our children. Thou, however, shalt here fulfil thy destiny, thus 
terrible and confident as thou art." 

He said, and hurled the sharp javelin from his heavy hand, and 590 
struck his ]eg below the knee, nor missed : and the greave of 
newly-wrought tin around it sounded horribly : but the brazen 
weapon leaped back from it thus struck, nor penetrated ; for the 
gifts of the god repelled it. Then Pelides next attacked the 
godlike Agenor ; yet Apollo permitted him not to obtain glory ; 595 
but snatched him away, and covered him with a large cloud ; and 
dismissed him to return in peace from the battle. 

And by a stratagem he turned away the son of Peleus from 
the people : for the far-darter, having likened himself in every 
respect to Agenor, stood before his feet ; and Achilles made 600 
haste to pursue with his feet. Whilst he was pursuing him, 
running before a little space, over the fruitful 3 plain, turning to- 
wards the deep-pool river Scamander — for Apollo drew him on 
with guile, so that he always expected to overtake him with his 605 
feet — the other Trojans, in the mean time, put to rout, came 
delighted in a crowd towards the city ; and the city was filled 
with them shut in. Nor did they any longer dare to wait for 
each other without the city and the wall, and to inquire who 
had escaped, and who had fallen in the battle : but they eagerly 610 
houred into the city, whomsoever of them his feet and his knees 
pad preserved. 

2 (pS«fi£vos being beforehand. 3 Bearing barley. 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK XXII. 



ARGUMENT. 



Hector alone remains without, in spite of the intreaties of his father and mother. 
He flies thrice round Troy, then fights, and is slain by Achilles, who drags his 
body to the fleet. The lamentation of Andromache. 

Thus driven by fright into the city, like fawns, they were 
refreshing themselves from sweat, and were drinking and slak- 
ing their thirst, leaning against the handsome battlements ; and 
the Achasans drew near towards the wall, inclining their shields 
5 upon their shoulders 1 . But Hector his deadly fate compelled 
to remain there, in front of Ilium and the Scasan gates. And 
Phoebus Apollo thus addressed Achilles : 

" Why, O son of Peleus, being thyself mortal, dost thou with 
10 rapid feet pursue me, an immortal god? Not yet dost thou 
discover that I am a god, and that thou ragest extravagantly ? 
Why truly thou regardest not the toil of the Trojans, whom 
thou hast put to flight, and who are already shut up within their 
city, but thou hast turned aside 2 here. Thou canst not slay me, 
for I am not mortal." 

And him, greatly indignant, swift-footed Achilles addressed : 
15 " Thou has befooled me, O, far-darter, most destructive of all 
gods, by now turning me away hither from the wall ; othervnse 
many had surely grasped the earth with their teeth, before they 
had gone into Troy. And now thou hast deprived me of great 
glory, and hast preserved them easily 3 , for thou didst not at all 

1 In close column — with their shields so disposed as to form a line of defence. 

2 i. e. instead of endeavouring to prevent the Trojans from getting behind their 
walls. 

3 i. e. without regard to consequences — for you knew you were safe from my 
' vengeance. 



ILIAD XXII.— V. 20—61. 363 

dread vengeance in after times. Assuredly I would chastise 20 
thee, if the power at least were mine." 

So saying he departed haughtily towards the city, rushing 
like a horse 4 , victorious in the contest, with his car — which, 
when striving, flies swiftly over the plain. So Achilles moved 
hastily his feet and his knees. 

And aged Priam first beheld him with his eyes, rushing along 25 
the plain, glittering like a star, which rises in the autumn ; and 
its resplendent rays shine among the other stars in the depth of 
the night — that which men call by the appellation of Orion's 
dog. Very bright is it ; but it is an evil omen, and brings a 30 
burning heat upon miserable mortals. So shone the brass round 
the breast of him as he ran along. Then the old man groaned, 
and beat his head with his hands, lifting them on high, and, 
groaning, cried aloud, supplicating his beloved son. And Hector 35 
was standing before the Scsean gates, insatiably eager to combat 
with Achilles; and him the old man piteously addressed, ex- 
tending his hands : 

" Hector, my beloved son, O do not, for my sake, alone and 
without others, await this man ; lest thou speedily fulfil thy fate, 
subdued by the son of Peleus ; for he is much more powerful 40 
than thou. Ruthless man ! would that he were so dear to the 
gods as he is to me 5 ; soon should dogs and vultures devour him, 
lying prostrate, and dire grief would depart from my bosom, — 
he, who has made me destitute of many and gallant sons, slaying, 
and selling them into far distant islands. For even now also, 45 
though the Trojans are shut up within the city, I cannot see my 
two sons, Lycaon and Polydorus, whom Laothoe bore to me, a 
queen among women. If however they are alive at the camp, 
assuredly we will hereafter redeem them with brass and with 
gold ; for there is plenty within ; for the aged Altes, renowned 50 
in story, gave abundance to his daughter. But if they be already 
dead, and in the abode of Pluto, it will be a grief to my soul, and 
to their mother, who gave them birth. Yet to the other people 
will the grief be more tolerable, if thou also do not die, subdued 55 
by Achilles. Come then within the wall, O my son, that thou 
mayst save the Trojan men and women, nor furnish great gh ry 
to the son of Peleus, and be thyself deprived of thy beloved life. 
Moreover, have pity upon wretched me, while I am still alive 6 , 60 
me, miserable man, whom the Saturnian father will destroy with 

4 Or, rather, a horse running for a prize. 

s i. e. would that he were not more dear to the gods than he is to me — not dear 
at all. 
9 Still thinking. 



364 ILIAD XXII.— V. 63—105. 

evil fortune upon the threshold of old age 7 , seeing many calami- 
ties — my sons slain, my daughters captives, their bridal chambers 

65 plundered, and infant children dashed against the earth in dire 
slaughter, and my daughters-in-law dragged away by the destruc- 
tive hands of the Achaeans. And myself also, at last, at the 
entrance of the gates — when some one with the sharp brass; 
striking me with a pike or a sword, takes the life from my limbs 
—will ravenous dogs tear, which, drinking up my blood, will lie 

70 in the vestibule, grown furious in their mind. To a young man 
indeed, slain in battle, and lacerated with sharp brass, it is hon- 
ourable, in all respects to lie, all of him, though dead ; whatever 
is visible is fair ; but when dogs insult the grey head, and the 

75 hoary beard, and the privy parts of a slaughtered old man, that 
indeed is most pitiable among wretched mortals." 

The old man said : and tore up the hoary locks with his hands, 
plucking them from his head ; yet persuaded not the soul of 
Hector. And his mother, again, weeping, lamented, baring her 

80 bosom, whilst with the other hand she held her breast ; and, 
shedding tears, addressed to him these winged words : 

" O Hector, my son, have respect to these, and have pity on 
me myself. If ever I afforded thee the grief-lulling breast 8 , 
remember these things, my beloved child; and repulse this 

85 hostile man, coming within the wall, nor stand forth the foremost 
against him. Unfeeling man ! for if he slay thee, neither shall I 
mourn on thy bier for thee, my beloved offspring, whom I myself 
bore, nor shall thy rich-dowered wife ; but far apart from us both, 
swift dogs will devour thee at the ships of the Argives." 

90 Thus did they, weeping, address their dear son, intreating 
him greatly ; yet persuaded they not the soul of Hector ; but he 
awaited huge Achilles, coming near. And as a fierce serpent 
at its den, feeding upon evil poisons, waits for a man, and dire 

95 rage enters into him (the serpent), and he glares horribly, coiling 
around his den ; so Hector, possessed of inextinguishable valour, 
retired not, leaning his glittering shield against a projecting 
tower ; and, full of indignation, thus communed with his own 
brave spirit : 

" Ah me ! if indeed I enter the gates and the wall, Polydamas 

100 will be the first to heap reproaches upon me— he who advised 
me to lead the Trojans towards the city during this disastrous 
night, when noble Achilles rose to battle. But I was not per- 
suaded ; doubtless it would have been much better if I had. 

105 And now, since by my rashness I have destroyed the people, I 

7 At the extremity of age — entrance of extreme age. 

8 The breast causing forgetfulness of cares. 



ILIAD XXIL— Y. 106—145. 365 

am afraid of the Trojan men and long-robed 9 Trojan women, lest 
some one inferior to me should say, i Hector, trusting in his own 
valour has destroyed the people.' Thus they will say ; and then 
it would be much better for me, either to return, after slaying 
Achilles in the encounter, or gloriously myself to perish in 110 
defence of the city. But if I were to lay down my bossed shield 
and strong helmet, and resting my spear against the wall, and, 
proceeding myself, go to meet the renowned Achilles, and promise 
him that we will allow 1 the two Atrides to take away Helen, 
who was the cause of the struggle, and all her numerous trea- 115 
sures along with her, as many as Alexander brought to Troy in 
his hollow ships, and besides, that we will distribute others, as 
many as this city possesses, among the Achaeans and if, moreover, 
I should exact an oath from the elders of the Trojans 2 , that they 
would conceal nothing, but divide all things into two portions, 120 
as much treasure as this delightful city contains within it. — Yet 
why does my soul discuss such things within me ? Never let 
me go, and come to him as a supplicant 3 ; for he will not pity 
me, neither have any respect to me, but slay me thus like a 125 
woman, being naked, after I put off my armour. It is not at all 
a time to be talking with any one from an oak, nor from a rock 4 ; 
— as young man and maiden — a young man and maiden talk with 
each other. On the contrary, it is better to engage in battle, 
that we may know as soon as possible to which of us the Olympic 130 
god will give glory." 

Thus he meditated, remaining : and Achilles came near him, 
like to Mars, the helmet-shaking warrior, brandishing upon his 
right shoulder the terrible Pelian ash ; and round him shone the 
brazen armour, like the splendour either of a blazing fire, or 
the rising sun. And a tremor seized Hector, as soon as he per- 135 
ceived him, nor any longer had he the courage to remain there, 
but left the gates behind him, and departed, panic-struck : and 
Pelides rushed after him, trusting to his rapid feet. 5 As a falcon, 
the swiftest of birds, on the mountains easily dashes after a timid 140 
pigeon ; while she flies low 6 for fear, and he, close at hand shrilly- 
screaming, frequently assails her, and his desire impels him to 
seize her : — so, eager Achilles rushed straight on ; and Hector 
fled in terror under the wall of the Trojans, and moved his agile 145 

9 Dragging their robes. 

J Give. 2 L e. as an oath more likely to be observed. Compare I\ 105, 6, 

3 Or / am afraid, if I should go, he will, <fcc. 

* At full leisure — or upon agreeable matters. 
5 i. e. with full confidence of overtaking him. 

• i. e. out of the line of his flight. 



366 ILIAD XXII— W, 147— 187. > 

limbs. Then rushed they past the rising ground and lefty 7 fig- 
tree, always under the wall along the public road ; and reached 
the two . fair-flowing fountains, where rise two springs of the 

150 eddying Scamander. For the one flows with tepid water, and 
from it a steam rises around, as from a burning fire ; but the 
other flows forth, during the summer, like to hail, or cold snow, 
or ice from water. And there, near to. them, are the wide, beau- 
tiful tsone basins, where the wives and fair daughters of the Tro- 

155 jans, formerly, in peace-time, used before the sons of the Achzeans 
arrived to wash their beautiful robes. In this direction they ran 
past, ike one fleeing, and the other pursuing behind. A brave 
man indeed ran before, but a much more valiant rapidly pursued 

160 him ; for they strove not for a victim or a bull's hide, such as are 
the prizes for the speed 8 of men, but they ran for the life of 
Hector, tamer of horses. And as when solid-hoofed race-horses 9 
run very swiftly round the course 1 • and a great prize is staked 
— either a tripod, or a woman — in honour of a hero dead ; so 

165 these two thrice encompassed the city of Priam with rapid feet 
And all the gods looked on. Then the father of men and gods 
began among them with these words : 

" Alas ! I behold with my eyes a dear hero pursued round 
the wall ; and my heart is grieved for Hector, who has burnt 

170 for me numerous legs of oxen upon the tops of the many-valed 
Ida, and at other times again in the highest part of the city ; 
and now noble Achilles chases him, with swift feet, round the 
city of Priam. Come then, consider, gods, and consult together, 

2 75 whether we shall save him from death, or now subdue him, 
brave as he is, by the hands of Achilles, son of Peleus." 

And him, in return, Minerva, the blue-eyed goddess, ad- 
dressed : " O my father, hurler of the thunder-bolt, compeller of 
the dark clouds, what hast thou spoken ? A man, being mortal, 

i80 long ago devoted to his fate, wouldst thou again free from evil 
death ? Do so; but all we, the other gods, will by no means 
assent." 

And to her cloud-compelling Jove, answering, said : " Be of 
good cheer, my beloved child, Tritogeneia; I by no means 
speak with a resolute 2 mind, but wish to be indulgent. Do, 

i§5 whatsoever is thy desire 3 , nor cheeck thyself in aught." 

So saying, he roused Minerva, before eager* and springing 4 , 
she descended from the summits of Olympus. 
And swift Achilles followed Hector, ceaselessly pressing upon 

7 Windy. 8 The feet. 9 The bearers away of prizes. J The marks. 

2 i. e. with a mind resolved to execute its own purposes. 

3 Where thy mind is. A Giving herself an impulse. 






ILIAD XXII. — Y. 189—231. 367 

him. As when a dog in the mountains pursues the fawn of a 
deer through glens and through thickets, having roused it from 19C 
its lair, and, although, fear-stricken, it conceal itself behind a 
brake, still tracking it, he runs without stopping till he catch 
it ; — so Hector eluded not the swift-footed son of Peleus. For 
as often as he strove to rush in front of the Dardan gates, to- 195 
wards the well-built towers, that if possible they might assist 
him with missile weapons from above, so often, anticipating 
him, did he turn him away towards the plain ; whilst he himself 
always flew on the side of the city. And as in a dream one 
cannot pursue a fugitive ; neither can the one escape the other, 200 
nor the other pursue : so the one was not able to overtake the 
other by his speed, nor the other to escape. By what means 
then could Hector have escaped the doom of death, if Apollo 
had not, for the last time 5 , come to meet him, and stimulated for 
him, his courage and swift knees? For the noble Achilles 
nodded to the people with his head, nor suffered them to throw 205 
their dire weapons at Hector, lest some one, wounding him, 
should obtain glory, and he come but second. But when, for 
the fourth time, they came to the fountains, then at length the 
father suspended his golden scales, and placed in them two 210 
destinies of death, causing long sleep, the one for Achilles, and 
the other for the horse-taming Hector. And taking them by 
the middle, he sustained them, and the fatal day of Hector 
weighed down, and descended to Hades ; and Phoebus Apollo 
left him. And the blue-eyed goddess Minerva approached 
Pelides, and, standing near, addressed to him these winged 215 
words : 

" Now, O illustrious Achilles, beloved of Jove, do I hope that 
we two shall bear back great glory to the ships of the Achaeans, 
having slain Hector, insatiable of battle though he be. Now it 
is no longer possible for him to escape us, not even if the far- 220 
darting Apollo should labour 6 ever so much, throwing himself 
forward at the feet of our father, JEgis-bearing Jove. But stand 
thou now and breathe : and I, approaching, shall persuade him 
to engage thee face to face."' 

Thus spake Minerva, and he obeyed and rejoiced in his soul; 
and stood, leaning upon his ashen, brass-pointed spear. And 225 
she then left him, and overtook noble Hector, like Dei'phobus 
in person and unwearied voice ; and, standing near, addressed to 
him these winged words : 

" My brother, swift Achilles without doubt now presses thee 
greatly, chasing thee with rapid feet round the city of Priam. 230 
Oome then, let us now stand, and, awaiting, repulse him." 

, 5 For the last and extreme time. 6 Should sufler very much. 



368 ILIAD XXII— Y. 232—275. 

And her, in return, the mighty plumed Hector addressed : 
" Dei'phobus, thou wast indeed to me, before, far the dearest of 
brothers — of the sons whom Hecuba and Priam produced. But 
235 now I think that I honour thee yet more, since thou hast dared 
for my sake, — when thou didst behold me with thine eyes, to 
come out of the city, while others remain within." 

And him again the blue-eyed goddess Minerva addressed: 
" My brother, indeed by father and venerable mother intreated 
240 me much, my turns embracing my knees, as well as my comrades 
around, to remain there — so much do all above measure fear 
him 7 — nevertheless my mind within was harassed with severe 
grief. Let us now, then, eager as we arc, combat straightway, 
nor let there longer be a sparing of spears 8 , that we may know 
245 whether Achilles, having slain us both, shall bear our bloody 
spoils to the hollow ships, or be himself subdued by thy spear." 
Thus having spoken, Minerva also with guile led the way. 
And when, advancing towards each other, they were now near, 
the mighty plumed Hector first addressed.him : 
250 « No longer, son of Peleus, shall I fly thee as before. Thrice 
have I fled round the vast city of Priam, nor ever dared to await 
thee, coming on ; now, however, my spirit urges me to stand 
against thee — I shall slay, or be slain. Come then, let us here 
255 take the gods to witness ; for they will be the best witnesses 
and overseers of covenants. For I will not horribly maltreat 
thee, if Jove shall give me the victory, and I take away thy 
life ; but when I shall strip from thee thy noble armour, O 
260 Achilles, I will give back thy body to the Achseans ; and so do 
thou to mcP 

Then, looking sternly, swift-footed Achilles addressed him : 
u Hector, demon, talk not of covenants to me. As there are not 
sworn treaties between lions and men, — nor have wolves and 
lambs a concordant mind, — but, unceasingly meditate evils 
265 against one another ; so it is not possible for thee and me to 
contract a friendship ; nor shall there be at all any treaties be- 
tween us two, — first one or other, falling, with his blood shall 
glut Mars, the daring warrior. Be mindful of all thy valour : 
270 now does it greatly behove thee to be both a spear-man and 
a dauntless warrior. No longer is there a retreat for thee, 
for Pallas Minerva at once subdues thee by my spear; and 
thou shalt now give satisfaction for all the sorrows of my com- 
rades collected together, whom, raging, thou didst slay with thy 
spear." 
275 He said, and brandishing it, threw his long spear, and the 

7 toiov — such — or, so great as he is. 8 i. e. lose no time in employing them. 



ILIAD XXII.— V. 274—317. 369 

illustrious Hector, seeing it coming, avoided it: for, looking 
forward 9 , he stooped, and that brazen spear flew over him, and 276 
fixed in the earth. And Pallas Minerva plucked it up, and gave 
it back to Achilles ; and it escaped the knowledge of Hector, 
shepherd of the people, — for Hector said to the renowned son 
of Peleus : 

" Thou hast missed, O godlike Achilles, nor art thou yet from 
Jove acquainted with my fate, though thou saidst thou wast — 280 
thou art but a prater, and a dissembler of words 1 — in order that, 
dreading thee, I might be forgetful of my courage and might. 
Not in my back, while flying shalt thou thrust thy spear, but 
drive it through my breast, rushing directly on, if a god grant 
that to thee. Now in turn avoid my brazen spear — oh that 285 
thou mayst receive it all in thy body. Then surely would the 
war become lighter to the Trojans, for thou art the greatest 
destruction to them." 

He said, and, brandishing, hurled his long spear, and struck 
the middle of Pelides' shield, nor missed ; but the spear was 2S0 
repelled far from the shield. And Hector was enraged that his 
swift weapon had escaped useless from his hand; and stood 
appalled, for he had not another ashen spear. Then called he 
upon the white-shielded Dei'phobus, shouting aloud, and de- 2$ 5 
manded a long spear ; but he was no longer at hand ; and Hec- 
tor recognised the fact in his mind, and said : 

"Alas! without doubt now the gods summon me to death. 
For I thought indeed that the hero Dei'phobus was near, but he 
is within the wall, and Minerva has deceived me. Now in truth 
is evil death near me, nor longer at a distance ; nor is there 3C0 
escape. For truly long ago has this been agreeable to Jove, and 
to the far-darting son of Jove, who, before at least, propitious, 
defended me : now, on the contrary, fate overtakes me. Yet, 
let me not, at least, perish cowardly and disgracefully, but acting 305 
mightily, to be heard of even by posterity." 

Thus having spoken, he drew his sharp sword, which hung 
below his loins, both huge and strong, and, turning, rushed 
forward like a high-flying eagle, which descends to the plain 
through the dark clouds, for the purpose of snatching away 310 
either a tender lamb, or a timid hare ; so Hector rushed forward 
brandishing his sharp sword. Achilles also sprang to the attack, 
and filled his soul with fierce valour. And he held in his defence 
before his breast his shield, beautiful, curiously wrought ; and 315 
nodded with his glittering four-coned helmet, whilst the beauti- 
ful golden crests, which Vulcan had spread in great abundance 

8 Or, previously seeing it. l Alluding to Achilles' talk about Minerva. 

26 



370 ILIAD XXII— Y. 319—357. 

round the cone, were shaken. And as the star Hesperus, which 
is the brightest star in heaven, goes among other stars during 

320 the depth of the night ; so splendour shone from the very sharp 
spear, which Achilles, meditating evil to the noble Hector, shook 
in his right hand, examining his handsome body, where it would 
most readily yield. But the rich brazen armour, which Hector, 
having slain the mighty Patroclus, had stripped off, completely 2 
covered the rest of his body ; yet that part of the throat ap- 

325 peared, where the collar-bones divide the neck from the shoul- 
ders, and where is the quickest destruction of like. There the 
noble Achilles, eager, drove into him with a spear, and the point 
came out 3 at the opposite side through the tender neck. Yet 
the ash, heavy with brass, cut not through the windpipe, so that 

330 he could say to him any thing, replying in words. And he fell 
among the dust, and the noble Achilles boasted over him : 

" Yet Hector, thou did once suppose, when stripping the dead 
Patroclus, that thou wouldst be safe, nor didst dread me, whilst 
away. Fool, I was left behind a much braver avenger for him, 

335 apart at the hollow ships, I who have loosened thy knees. Thee 
indeed shall dogs and birds foully tear, but him the Adtaeans shall 
bury with funeral rites." 

And him, the plumed Hector, growing languid, addressed : "I 
intreat thee by thy life, and thy knees, and thine own parents, 
suffer not the dogs to devour me at the ships of the Achseans ; 

340 "but accept thou brass in abundance, and gold, which my father 
and venerable mother will give thee ; and give back my body 
home, that the Trojans and wives of the Trojans may honour me 
dead with a funeral pile." 

But the swift-footed Achilles, looking sternly, thus addressed 

345 him : u Dog, supplicate me not by my knees, nor my parents ; 
for I would that my fury and indignation would in any way 
stimulate me myself, tearing to pieces thy raw flesh, to eat it, 
for the deeds which thou hast done me. Therefore there is no 

350 one who shall drive away the dogs from thy head — not, if they 
should lay down tenfold and twenty -fold ransoms, bringing them 
here, and promise others also ; not even if Dardan Priam should 
desire to weigh thyself with gold 4 , not even thus shall thy ven- 
erable mother weep over him whom she bore, placing him upon 
his bier, but dogs and birds shall entirely tear thee in pieces." 

^55 And him the helmed Hector, dying, addressed : " Well know- 
ing thee, in truth, I presage this, nor was I likely to persuade 
thee; for surely there is an iron soul within thee. But reflect 

2 Had so much. 3 Came quite through. 

4 i. e. to redeem thee with thy weight in gold. 



ILIAD XXII.— V. 358—403. 371 

now, lest I be a cause of divine hatred 5 to thee, on that day, 
when Paris and Phoebus Apollo shall slay thee, brave as thou 
art 6 , in the Scaean gates." 360 

The end of death enveloped him, thus speaking ; and, quitting 
vigour and youth, his soul, flying from his limbs, descended to 
Hades, mourning its destiny. And him, although dead, the 
noble Achilles addressed : 

' ; Die : for I shall then receive my fate, when Jove wills to 365 
accomplish it, and the other immortal gods." 

He said, and plucked the brazen spear from the body, and laid 
it aside and tore the bloody armour from his shoulders. And 
other sons of the Aehseans ran round, who also admired the size 
and noble form of Hector ; nor did any one stand by without 370 
inflicting a wound. And thus said they, looking to those who 
were near : 

" Oh 1 surely Hector is now much more gentle to be handled, 
than when he kindled the ships with glowing fire." 

Thus said some, and, standing by, wounded him. And when 375 
swift footed Achilles had stripped him of his spoils, standing 
among the Achreans, he addressed to them these winged words : 

" O friends, leaders and chiefs of the Argives, since the gods 
have granted me to subdue this man, who wrought many evils, 
such as did not all the others — come, let us try the city all 380 
around with our arms, that we may gain some knowledge of the 
Trojans, what mind they have ; whether they will leave the 
high city, now he has fallen, or venture to remain, although 
Hector be no more. But why does my heart deliberate these 385 
things within me ? Patroclus lies an unwept, unburied corpse 
beside the ships ; and him I shall never forget, as long as I am 
among the living, and my dear knees can move ; and if even 
they be forgetful of the dead in Hades, yet will I remember my 390 
beloved comrade even there. Come then, Achseans, singing 
prcans, let us return to the hollow ships and bear him away, for 
we have obtained great glory : we have slain noble Hector, 
whom the Trojans throughout the city honoured as a god." 

He said, and meditated shocking deeds against the noble Hec- 395 
tor. He perforated the tendons of both his feet behind, from 
the heel to the instep, and fastened in them leathern thongs and 
tied him to the car ; and left his head to be dragged. And then 
mounting his chariot, and lifting up the noble armour, he flogged 400 
the horses to proceed, and they, not unwilling, flew. And the 
dust arose from him, while dragged along, and his azure hair 
was shaken around, and his whole head, once graceful, lay in the 

8 Hatred of the gods. c Being brave. 



372 ILIAD XXIL— V. 404—446. 

dust ; for Jove had then granted to his enemies, to insult him in 

405 his own native land. Thus was his whole head defiled with 
dust ; and his mother plucked out her hair, and threw off her 
shining veil far from her, and shrieked very loudly, beholding 
her son. And his beloved father groaned piteously, and all the 
people around were occupied in howling and lamentation 

410 throughout the city : and it was most like to this, as if all lofty 
Ilium were consuming from its summit with fire. Hardly in- 
deed did the people detain the old man, swelling with grief, and 
eager to go out from the Dardanian gates ; for, rolling in the 

415 mud, he supplicated all, addressing each man by name from 
among the crowd : 

" Desist, my friends, and anxious though ye be, permit me, 
alone, going out of the city, to go to the ships of the Achseans. 
I will entreat this destructive man, the perpetrator of dreadful 

420 actions, if perchance he will reverence my years 7 , and have pity 
upon my age ; for such as I am is his own father, Peleus, who 
begot and brought him up to be a destruction to the Trojans; 
but particularly on me above all has he inflicted sorrows. For he 
has slain for me so many blooming sons — for all of whom I lament 

425 not so much, grieved though I be, as for this one, Hector, for 
whom my grief will soon bear me down even to Hades. Would 
that he had died in my arms 8 ; so should we have been satisfied, 
weeping and mourning over him, both his unhappy mother who 
bore him, and I myself." 

Thus he spake, weeping, and the people also groaned. And 

430 Hecuba began her miserable 9 lamentation among the Trojan 
women : 

" My son, why do I, miserable, live, suffering terrible things, 
and thou art dead ? Thou who by night and day wast my boast 
throughout the city, and an advantage to the Trojan men and 

435 women throughout the town, who received thee like a god. For 
surely thou wast a very great glory to them, whilst alive ; now, 
on the contrary, death and fate hold thee." 
S Thus he spake, weeping ; and the wife of Hector had not yet 
learned aught ; for no sure messenger, going, had informed her 
that her husband had remained without the gates ; but she was 

440 weaving a web in the inner chamber of her lofty house, double, 
splendid, and was spreading on it various flowers. And she had 
given directions to her fair-haired attendants in the house, to 
place a large tripod round the fire, that a warm bath might be 

445 ready for Hector, returning from battle : foolish woman, for she 
knew not ; that very far from the baths, the blue-eyed Minerva 

7 Age. s Hands. 9 Thick. 



ILIAD XXII.—V. 447-489. 373 

had subdued him by the hand of Achilles. But she heard the 
shriek and wail from the tower, and her limbs were shaken, and 
her shuttle fell to the ground ; and she again addressed her fair- 
haired domestics : 

" Hither two of you follow me, that I may see what deeds 450 
have been done. I heard the voice of my venerable mother-in- 
law, and within myself, the heart in my breast leaps to my mouth, 
and my limbs are torpid under me. Surely some evil is now 
near the sons of Priam. O that I might never hear it 1 . And I 
very much fear lest the noble Achilles cutting off the brave 455 
Hector alone from the city, has driven him to the plain, and put 
a stop to the fatal valour, which possessed him ; for he never re- 
mained among the throng of warriors, but sprang far-forward, 
yielding in his own valour to none." 

So saying, she rushed through the mansion like a maniac, with 460 
a palpitating heart 2 , and her handmaids went along with her. 
And when she came to the tower and to the crowd of men, she 
stood, gazing round upon the wall ; and marked him, dragged 
in front of the city, and the swift steeds dragged him miserably 
towards the hollow ships of the Achaeans. Then gloomy night 465 
involved her eyes, and she fell backwards, and breathed out her 
life. And far from her head fell the admirable head-dresses, the 
garland, and the net, and the twisted fillet, and the veil which 
the golden Venus had given to her on that day, when plumed 470 
Hector led her from the house of Eetion, after he had given 
numerous marriage presents. And around her in great numbers 
stood her sisters-in-law and sisters, who restrained her among 
them, eagerly desiring to destroy herself. But when she 
breathed again, and her mind was collected in her breast, sobbing 
at intervals, she spake among the Trojan women : 475 

" Hector, wretched me ! we were both then born to an equal 
destiny, thou indeed in Troy, in the abode of Priam, and I in 
Thebes, at the woody Placus, in the mansion of Eetion ; who, 480 
himself ill-fated, nourished me, ill-fated, being yet a little child : 
— Oh ! that he had never begotten me. Now, however, thou 
goest to the mansions of Pluto, below the recesses of the earth, 
and leavest me, in heavy grief, a widow in our halls ; and thy 485 
boy thus, yet an infant, whom thou and I, unfortunate, begot : 
nor wilt thou be an advantage to him, O Hector, since thou art 
dead ; nor he to thee. For even if he shall escape the lament- 
able war of the Achaeans, still toil and sorrows will always be his 
lot 3 in time to come ; for others will deprive him of his fields 

i O that the word — i. e. the report, the account of it, might be far from my ear. 
2 Palpitating as to her heart. 3 Be to him. 



374 ILIAD XXIL— V. 490—5 1 5. 

490 by taking away the landmarks ; and this orphan-making day has 
rendered the boy destitute of all companions of his own age, and 
he is altogether cast down, and his cheeks are wet with tears. 
And the boy in want shall go to the comrades of his father, 
seizing one by the cloak, and another by the coat : and one of 

495 these, compassionating him, shall present him with a very small 
cup ; and he shall wash his lips, but not moisten his palate. 
And him also shall some one blessed with both his parents, push 
from the feast, striking him with his hands, and reviling him 
with reproaches: l Begone with a curse, thy father in truth 

500 feasts not along with us. 5 And then shall the boy Astyanax re- 
pair weeping to his widowed mother — he who formerly, upon 
the knees of his own father, was wont to eat marrow alone, and 
the rich fat of sheep : and when sleep came upon him, and he 
ceased from childishly crying, was wont to sleep upon a couch 

505 in the arms of his nurse, in a soft bed, having his heart filled 4 
with delicacies. But now, Astyanax, upon whom the Trojans 
bestowed the sirname, (because thou alone didst defend for them 
their gates and lofty walls,) shall suffer many things, deprived 
of 5 his dear father. And now thee shall crawling worms devour, 

510 naked, beside the curved-beaked ships, far from thy parents, 
after the dogs shall have glutted themselves : and thy garments, 
fine and graceful, woven by the hands of women, lie in thy halls. 
Nevertheless all these will I consume with glowing fire, being of 
no use to thee, for thou shalt not lie in them j yet they will be a 
glory before the Trojan men and women." 

515 Thus she spake, weeping, and the women also wailed around. 

* Filled as to his heart. 5 Erring from. 



J 



THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER. 



BOOK XXIII. 



ARGUMENT. 

The funeral of Patroclus, and the games celebrated on the occasion. 

Thus they mourned throughout the city. Meanwhile the 
Achasans, as soon as they reached the ships and the Hellespont, 
dispersed each to his own ship; hut Achilles suffered not the 
Myrmidons to disperse, and addressed himself to his war-loving 5 
comrades : 

" Ye swift-riding Myrmidons, comrades dear to me, let us not 
yet loose our solid-hoofed horses from our cars, hut with the 
steeds themselves and cars, going near, let us weep for Patroclus ; 
for this is the reward of the dead. And after we have indulged 
our sad lamentation, then unyoking the horses, we will all sup." 10 

Thus he spake, and they mourned in a hocly ; and Achilles led 
the way. And three times they drove their beautiful steeds 
round the body, mourning ; and Thetis excited a thirst of lam- 
entation among them. The sands were wetted, and the armour 15 
of the men was wetted with tears ; for they much regretted so 
brave a warrior. And among them Pelides led 1 the loud lamen- 
tation, laying his man-slaying hands upon the breast of his com- 
rade: 

" All hail, Patroclus, even in the mansions of Pluto : for I will 
now make good all those things which I before promised — that, 20 
dragging Hector hither, I would give him to the dogs to be de- 
voured raw; and that before thy pile I would cut off the heads 
of twelve noble sons of the Trojans — enraged on account of thee 
slain." 

He said, and meditated foul deeds upon the noble Hector, cast 

1 i, e. he was chief mourner. 



376 ILIAD XXIIL— V. 25—68. 

25 prone in the dust before the bier of Mencetiades ; and they 
stripped off each their brazen glittering armour, and unyoked 
their high-sounding steeds. Then they sat down in great num- 
bers beside the ship of the swift-footed JEacides ; and he fur- 

30 nished to them a refreshing funeral feast. Many white bulls 
were stretched around by the knife, 2 having their throats cut, 
and many sheep and bleating goats. Many swine, also, with 
white teeth, full with fat, were extended for roasting over the 
flame.of Vulcan ; and in every direction around the corpse blood 

35 flowed in abundance. And the king, the swift-footed son of 
Peleus, the princes of the Achceans conducted to the noble Aga- 
memnon, with difficulty persuading him, grieved as he was at 
his heart for his comrade. And when they, proceeding, had 
now reached the tent of Agamemnon, he immediately gave 
orders to the loud-tongued heralds to place a large tripod on the 

40 fire, that he might persuade Pelides to wash off from himself 
the bloody gore, But he steadily refused, and moreover swore 
an oath: 

" No, by Jove, who is both the supreme and best of the gods, 
it must not be that the bath come near my head, before I lay Pa- 

45 troclus upon his funeral pyre, and pile up his mound, and crop 
my hair ; since never thus will sorrow a second time reach my 
heart, whilst I am among the living. Nevertheless let us now 
obey the hateful feast. And to-morrow, O king of men, Aga- 

50 memnon, give orders to fetch wood and place it near, such as is 
proper for a dead body, possessing, to repair beneath the gloomy 
shade ; in order that the unwearied fire may consume him more 
quickly from our eyes, and the people be turned to their la- 
bours." 

Thus he spake ; and they readily listened to him, and obeyed. 

55 Then each, sedulously preparing supper, feasted ; nor did their 
appetite want aught of an equal banquet. And when they had 
taken out of themselves the desire of eating and drinking, they 
went for the purpose of sleeping, each to his tent. 

But the son of Peleus, on the shore of the far-sounding sea, 

60 lay heavily moaning, among his Myrmidons, in a clear spot, 
where the waves washed in upon the beach ; when sleep took 
possession of him, dissolving the cares of his soul, sweetly poured 
round him ; for he was greatly fatigued in his good limbs, chasing 

65 Hector at windy Ilium. And the ghost of the miserable Patro- 
clus came to him, like to him in every respect, in bulk, and 
beautiful eyes, and voice ; and similar garments also were upon 
his form ; and he stood over his head, and addressed to him this 
speech : 

2 Iron. 



ILIAD XXIIL-V. 69—110. 377 

"Sleepest thou, and art forgetful of ine, Achilles? Thou 
didst not neglect me when alive, hut now that I am dead. Bury 70 
me, that I may as soon as possible pass the gates of Hades. The 
spirits, the shades of the deceased, drive me far away, nor at all 
permit me to mingle with them on the other side of the river ; 
but thus do I wander round the wide-gated abode of Pluto. And 75 
give me thine hand, I beseech thee, for I shall not again return 
from Hades, after ye have made me a partaker of the fire. For 
not again, alive, sitting apart from our beloved comrades, shall 
we deliberate upon plans : but that hateful fate, which fell to 
my share at my birth, has swallowed me up. And to thyself 80 
also, O godlike Achilles, it were the doom to perish beneath the 
wall of the nobly-born Trojans. And I will speak and enjoin 
thee another thing, O Achilles, if thou wilt obey — not to lay my 
bones apart from thine : but as we were together brought up in 
your mansions, ever since Menoetius took me from Opeis, while So 
yet a little one, to your house, on account of a sad homicide on 
that day, when I slew the son of Amphidamus, — foolishly — not 
intending it enraged about some cockalls 3 — there Peleus, re- 
ceiving me in his abode, carefully brought me up, and named 
me thy attendant 4 . So also the bones of both of us may the 90 
same casket enclose — the golden vase, which thy venerable 
mother gave thee." 

And him, swift-footed xlchilles, answering, addressed : " Why 
O revered spirit 5 , comest thou to me, and givest me these par- 
ticular directions ? I will, however, readily fulfill all these 95 
things for thee, and obey, as thou commandest. But stand nearer 
me — let us embrace each other, though but for a little while, 
and indulge our sad lamentation." 

Thus then having spoken, he stretched out for him with his 
friendly hands, but caught him not; for the spirit under the 100 
earth like smoke vanished, shrieking. And astounded, Achilles 
started up, and clapped together his hands, and uttered this dole- 
ful speech: 

" Alas ! there is indeed then, in the abodes of Hades, some spirit 
and image, but there is no body in it at all ; for all night the 
ghost of the miserable Patroclus stood by me, groaning and 105 
lamenting, and gave me particular directions, and wonderfully 
resembled himself." 

Thus he spake ; and excited among them all the desire of 
lamentation; and the rosy-fingered morn appeared to them 
while weeping round the wretched corpse. Meanwhile king 110 

3 Or pastern-bones, played with as dice. 

4 Comrade — or, in the chivalric sense, a sort of squire. 6 Head. 



37S ILIAD XXIII. —V. 112—151. 

Agamemnon roused in every direction, from the tents, both 
mules and men to fetch in wood ; and over them rose a brave 
man, Meriones, the attendant of the valour-loving Idomeneus. 

115 And others went, holding in their hands wood-cutting axes and 
well-twisted ropes ; and before them went the mules. And over 
many ascents and descents, and straight roads and cross ones, 
they passed. But when at last they arrived at the forests of 
Ida of many fountains, immediately, making haste, they . cut 
down high-branched oaks with long-edged hatchets 6 . And these, 

120 loudly-crashing, fell : and the Acha?ans, then laying them to- 
gether, bound them upon the mules, which pawed the ground 
with their feet, anxious -to reach the plain through the close 
thickets. And all the wood-cutters carried trunks of trees ; for 
so Meriones, the comrade of the valour-loving Idomeneus, gave 

125 command ; and then cast them in order upon the shore, where 
Achilles had marked out a vast tomb for Patroclus, and for him- 
self. 

And when in every direction, they had thrown down vast 
quantities of wood, they sat there in a body, waiting; and 
Achilles immediately commanded the warlike Myrmidons to gird 

130 on their brazen armour, and to yoke each his horses to his car ; 
and they bestirred themselves, and put on their armour. And 
both the combatants and charioteers ascended into their chariots. 
First went the cavalry, and a cloud of infantry followed after 
in immense numbers ; and his comrades bore Patroclus in the 

135 midst. And they covered all the dead body over with hair, 
which, clipping off, they threw upon it ; but the noble Achilles 
held his head behind, grieving, for he was sending an illustrious 
comrade to the grave. 

And when they came to the spot where Achilles pointed out 
to them, they laid him down ; and immediately piled up for him 

140 in abundance the wood. Then again swift-footed Achilles 
thought of something else. Standing apart from the pile, fee 
cut off his yellow hair — that which he nourished, blooming, ded- 
icated to the river Sphercheius : and, groaning, he spake, look- 
ing upon the dark sea: 

" In vain, O Spercheius, did my father Peleus vow to thee, 

145 that I, returning to my beloved native land, would there cut off 
for thee my hair, and offer a sacred hecatomb ; and that I would 
on the same spot sacrifice fifty male sheep at the fountains, 
where there are a grove and a fragrant altar to thee. Thus 
vowed the old man, but thou hast not fulfilled his purpose. And 

150 now since I return not to my dear native land, I will give my 
hair to the hero Patroclus, to be carried with him." 

6 Brass 



ILIAD XXIIL— V. 152—194. 379 

So saying, he placed the hair in the hands of his friend ; and 
excited among them all the desire of lamentation. And the 
light of the sun would have surely set upon/them still mourning 
had not Achilles, standing by, immediately addressed Aga- 155 
memnon : 

" Atrides — for to thy words will the people of the Achseans 
pay most obedience — there may be too much of grief; and now 
disperse them from the pile, and bid them get their supper. 
About those matters will we toil, to whom the corpse is most an 160 
object of care : and let the chiefs remain with us." 

And when the king of men, Agamemnon, heard this, he im- 
mediately dismissed the people to their good ships ; but the 
mourners 7 remained there, and piled up the wood. And they 
erected a pyre, an hundred feet wide on this side and on that 8 , 
and laid the body upon the top of the pile, grieving in their 165 
heart. And many fat sheep, and slow-footed, ciuimple- horned 
oxen they skinned and dressed before the pile ; and from them 
all brave Achilles, taking the fat, covered over the dead body 
with it from head to feet, and heaped round it the skinned car- 
cases. And leaning over the bier, he placed likewise jars of 170 
honey and oil, and, groaning heavily, hastily threw upon the 
pile four high-necked horses. Nine dogs were companions at 
table to the king, and, slaying two of them, he cast them upon 
the pile ; and twelve gallant sons of the brave Trojans, killing 175 
them with the sword ; for he meditated evil deeds in his soul 9 . 
iNext he sent in the invincible force of fire, that it might feed : 
then groaned', and addressed his beloved companion by name : 

"Rejoice with me, O Patroclus, even in the abodes of Hades; 
for I now accomplish all things for thee which I before prom- 180 
ised — twelve gallant sons of the brave Trojans, all these, along 
with thee, shall the fire devour : but I will not give Hector, son 
of Priam, to the fire to devour, but to the dogs." 

Thus he spake, threatening ; but him the dogs seized not 185 
upon ; for Venus, daughter of Jove, drove away the dogs' by 
days and nights, and she had anointed him with a rosy ambro- 
sial oil, that, while dragging, Achilles might not lacerate him. 
Over him Phoebus Apollo brought a cerulean cloud from heaven 
to the plain, and overshadowed all the space, as much as the 19C 
corpse occupied, that the force of the sun might not previously 
dry up the body all round with the nerves and limbs. 

Yet the pile of the dead Patroclus burnt not. Then again 
the noble Achilles thought of other things. Standing apart 

? Those having care. s ,-, e% a square of 100 feet. 

9 i. e. the sacrifice of these twelve. 



380 ILIAD XXIIL— V. 195—235. 

from the pile, he prayed to two winds, Boreas and Zephyrus, 

195 and promised handsome sacrifices: and, pouring out many liba- 
tions from a golden goblet, he intreated them to come, in order 
that they might as soon as possible consume the body with fire 
and the wood might hastily be burnt 1 . And the swift Iris, hear- 

200 ing his prayers, came as an inter-messenger to the Winds- They 
were then together within the palace of the fierce-breathing 
Zephyrus, celebrating a feast ; and Iris, running in, stood upon 
the stone threshold. And when they beheld her with their 
eyes, they started up, and invited her, each towards himself. 
But she, however, refused to sit down, and delivered this speech : 

205 "No seat for me; fori am going again to the streams of 
Oceanus, to the land of the ^Ethiopians, where they are sacri- 
ficing hecatombs to the immortals, that I also may now have a 
share in their offerings. But Achilles now supplicates Boreas 
and tumultuous Zephyrus to come — and promises handsome 
victims — that ye may stir up the pile to burn, on which lies 

210 Patroclus, whom all the Achaeans lament." 

She then, having thus spoken, departed ; and they rushed 
forward with a vast tumult, driving the clouds before them. 
And forthwith they came to the sea to blow, and the billow rose 

215 under their sonorous blast; and they reached fertile Troy, and 
fell upon the pile, and the fierce-burning fire loudly roared. 
And all night indeed did they together toss about the flame of 
the pile, shrilly blowing ; and all night did swift Achilles, taking 

220 a two-eared cup, pour wine upon the ground from a golden bowl, 
exhausting it, and moisten the earth, calling upon the spirit of 
the wretched Patroclus. And as a father mourns, while burning 
the bones of his own son, a bridegroom, who, dying, hath grieved 
his miserable parents ; so mourned Achilles, while burning the 

225 bones of his comrade, stalking beside the pile, frequently groan- 
ing. But when Lucifer arrived, bearing news of light to the 
earth, after whom the crocus-robed Aurora diffuses over the sea, 
then the pile grew languid, and the flame ceased ; and the 

230 Winds departed again, to return home across the Thracian sea ; 
and that groaned, raging with a swell. 

And Pelides, removing in another direction from the pile, lay 
down wearied, and sweet sleep came upon him. The others, 
however, gathered in a body round Atrides 2 , the tumult and 
bustle of whom, approaching, awoke him ; and raising himself 

235 upright, he sat, and spake to them this word : 

1 Make haste to, &c. 

2 But those about Atrides numerous collected — i, e. Atrides and his staff — 
Atrides and other chiefs. 



ILIAD XXIII.— Y. 236—282. 381 

" Son of Atreus, and ye others, the bravest of all the Achaeans, 
iirst quench the whole funeral pile, as much as the force of lire 
occupied, with dark wine ; and then let us collect the bones of 
Patroclus, the son of Menoetius, correctly distinguishing them ; 240 
and they are easily distinguishable, for he lay in the middle 
of the pyre, and the others, horses and men, mixed together, 
lay apart at the extremity ; and let us place them in a 
golden vase, and with double tallow, till I myself be hid in 245 
Hades. And a tomb I have directed to be made, not very 
large, but a moderate sort of one ; and do you, Achaaans, after- 
wards, render it both broad and lofty, who may be left after me 
in the many-benched ships." 

Thus he spake ; and they obeyed the swift-footed Pelides. 250 
First they extinguished the funeral pile with dark wine, as 
much as the flame came upon, and the deep ashes sank down ; 
and, weeping, collected the white bones of their gentle comrade 
into a golden vase, and into double fat ; then laying it in the 
tent, covered it over with fine linen. Next they marked out 255 
the tomb, and threw the foundations round the pile ; then cast 
upon it the dug-up earth ; and having piled up the tomb, re- 
turned again. Meanwhile Achilles detained the people there, 
and caused a large assembly to sit clown ; and brought from the 260 
ships, as prizes, goblets, and tripods, and steeds, and mules, and 
strong heads of oxen, and women with beautiful zones, and 
splendid iron. First he staked as prizes for fleet horsemen 3 , a 
woman to be taken home, beautiful and accomplished ; and a 
tripod, with handles 4 , of two-and-twenty measures for the fore- 265 
most ; and for the second, again, he staked a mare, six years old, 
unbroken, heavy with a mule foal ; for the third, again, he 
staked a tripod that had not felt the fire, beautiful, containing 
four measures, still bright 5 ; for the fourth he staked two talents 270 
of gold ; and for the fifth he staked a double vase that had not 
felt the fire. And he stood upright, and delivered this speech 
among the Argives : 

" Atrides, and ye other well-armed Achaeans, these prizes lie 
in the circus, awaiting the charioteers. If now, in honour of 2^5 
another, we were celebrating games, surely would I, taking the 
first prizes, bear them to my tent. For ye know how much my 
steeds surpass in excellence ; because they are immortal ; and 
-Neptune presented them to my father Peleus, and he again 
delivered them to me. But, however, I will remain quiet, and 230 
my solid-hoofed horses; because they have lost the gallant 
strength of so kind a charioteer, who very frequently poured 

3 i. e. for a car-race. 

4 Eared — with ears. 5 i. e. as it came from the maker. 



382 ILIAD XXIIL— V. 282-323. 

the moist oil over their manes for them, washing them with 
pure water. Him do they, standing, mourn, and their manes 
hang down upon the ground, and they stand grieved at heart. 

285 But the rest of you, make ready, throughout the army, whoso- 
ever of the Achasans has confidence in his steeds and well-com- 
pacted chariots." 

Thus spake the son of Peleus; and the swift horsemen 
collected. By far the first rose Eumelus, king of men, the be- 
loved son of Admetus, who was conspicuous for his horsemanship. 

290 After him rose the son of Tydeus, brave Diomedes, and led to 
the yoke the Trojan horses, which he once took from JEneas, 
but himself Apollo saved alive 6 ; and next to him rose the nobly- 
born son of Atreus, yellow-haired Menelaus, and led to the yoke 

295 fleet coursers, Agamemnon's iEthe, and his own Podargus. Her, 
Echepolus, the son of Anchises, had presented as a gift to Aga- 
memnon, that he might not accompany him to windy Ilium, but, 
remaining at home 7 , enjoy his ease ; for Jupiter had given him 

300 great wealth, and he dwelt in spacious Sicyon. Her, eager for 
the race, Menelaus led to the yoke. And Antilochus, the fourth 
harnessed his beautiful horses, — the illustrious son of the brave 
king Nestor, son of Neleus — and swift-footed Pylus-bred steeds 
bore his chariot for him ; and his father, standing near, spake for 

305 his good, advising him, though he was himself intelligent : 

"Antilochus, certainly both Jupiter and Neptune loved thee, 
when very young, and taught thee all kinds of horsemanship ; 
and therefore there is no great need to teach thee. For thou 

310 knowest well how to turn the goals; but thy horses are very 
slow in running, and therefore I am afraid there will be mis- 
chief 8 . But though their horses are more fleet, yet they them- 
selves know not how to make use of more stratagems than thy- 
self. Come then dear, lay thou up all sorts of devices within 

315 thy mind, that the prizes may not escape thee. By skill is the 
wood-cutter much more powerful than by strength : and by skill 
again does the pilot upon the dark sea direct the swift ship, 
tossed about by the winds ; and by skill does charioteer excel 
charioteer. One relying on his steeds and his car, rolls unskil- 

320 fully here and there over much space, and his steeds wandering 
along the course, nor does he control them. But he who is ac- 
quainted with stratagems 9 , though driving inferior horses, look- 
ing always towards the goal, turns it close, nor does he neglect. 



6 Saved by snatching away. ? There. 

8 That there will be some accident — and that you will not succeed. 

9 i. e. who knows how to take advantage of circumstances. 



ILIAD XXIII— Y. 325—367. 383 

from the first, to tighten his leathern reins 1 ; but he keeps 325 
steadily on, and watches him who precedes. Now I will describe 
thee the goal very distinctly, nor shall it escape thee. There 
stands a dry stake, as much as a cubit, above the ground, either 
of oak, or of larch, what is not rotted with rain ; and two white 
stones are placed on each side of it, in the narrows of the road ; 
but there is a level horse-road on both sides — either it is the 330 
monument of a man long since dead, or perhaps it has been a 
turning-post among the men of old, and now the swift-footed 
noble Achilles has made it a goal. Approaching this very 
closely, drive thou thy chariot and horses near: but incline 
thyself a very little towards the left of them in the well- 335 
wheeled chariot ; and cheering 2 thy right-hand horse with a 
shout, flog him, and yield to him the reins in thy hands. Let 
thy left-hand horse, however, be moved close upon the post 
so that the nave of thy good wheel may appear to touch 
the top of the post ; yet shun to strike upon the stone, lest 340 
thou both wound thy horses, and break in pieces thy car, and 
thou be sport to the others, and disgrace to thyself. But, dear, 
mind and be on thy guard ; for if at the turning-post thou couldst 
drive past, there is no one who could overtake thee in pursuit, 345 
nor pass thee by ; no, not if at thy heels he drive the noble 
Areion, Adrastus' fleet steed, which was of race divine ; or those 
of Laomedon, which also, of good breed, have here been reared/'* 

So saying, the Nelian Nestor again sat down in his place, after 
he had told the chief parts of each thing to his own son. And 350 
Meriones, the fifth, harnessed his well-maned horses. Then 
they ascended their chariots and cast in their lots. Achilles 
shook the helmet, and the lot of Antilochus, son of Nestor, 
sprang out; and after him king Eumelus obtained his lot; and 
after him was the spear-skilled Menelaus, son of Atreus, and 355 
after him Meriones obtained his lot to drive ; and last the son of 
Tydeus, far the bravest, obtained his lot to drive his coursers. 
Then they stood in order; and Achilles pointed out the goal, 
far away in the level plain ; and placed beside them,, as an ob- 360 
server, godlike Phoenix, the armour-bearer of his own father, 
that he might pay attention to the race, and report the truth. 

Then at once all raised their lashes over their steeds, and 
struck them with the reins, and cheered them on with their 
words ardently; and they swiftly flew across the plain, soon far 365 
away from the ships ; and beneath their chests the dust stood — 
raised, like a cloud or a whirlwind ; and their manes were waved 

i Nor does it escape him, that at first he should pull with his reins. 
2 GfAoxX'/jO'aS, cheering with a shout. 



384 ILIAD XXIIL— -V. 369—408. 

about by the breath of the wind. Sometimes indeed the char- 

370 iots touched the fruitful earth, and at other times leaped up 
aloft: but the drivers stood erect in their chariots, and the 
heart of each of those, eager for victory, palpitated ; and each 
animated his own coursers, and they flew along, stirring up dust 
from the plain. But when at last the fleet horses were accom- 
plishing the last part of the course, back towards the hoary deep, 

375 then was the excellence of each apparent, and the speed of the 
horses immediately put to its stretch 3 : and the swift-footed 
mares of the son of Pheres, (Eumelus) quickly borne him before 
the others. And after them the Trojan stallions of Diomede, 
carried him ; nor were they at all far apart, but very near ; for 
they were always like horses just going to mount into the char- 

380 iot. The back and broad shoulders of Eumelus grew warm 
with their breathing ; for they flew along, leaning their heads 
close to him. And now Tydides would have either passed, or 
made the victory doubtful, had not Phoebus Apollo been enraged 
with him, and 4 thrown out of his hands the shining lash. And 

385 from his eyes, indignant fell the tears, because them he beheld 
getting along even faster, and his own were retarded, running 
without a scourge. Neither did Apollo, thus craftily injuring 
Tydides, escape Minerva ; for she very quickly overtook the 

390 shepherd of the people, and gave to him his lash, and put new 
vigour into his steeds. And to the son of Admetus, angry the 
goddess advanced, and broke for him the yoke 5 for his horses ; 
and his mares ran on each side of the road, and the pole fell to 
the earth. And he himself was cast out of the car beside the 

395 wheel, and was lacerated all round in his arms, and his mouth, 
and nostrils, and his forehead was bruised near the eyebrows ; 
and his eyes were filled with tears, and his liquid voice was 
checked. Then Tydides, passing him, guided his solid-hoofed 
horses, leaping forth far before the others; for Minerva had 

400 sent vigour into his steeds, and gave to him glory. And then 
next to him, the son of Atreus, the yellow-haired Menelaus, 
held his course) and Antilochus exhorted the steeds of his 
father : 

" Push on ! and exert yourselves, both of you, as fast as pos- 
sible. I do not indeed bid you contend with those coursers of 

405 the warlike Tydides, to which Minerva has now supplied speed, 
and given glory to himself; but quickly, overtake the steeds of 
Atrides, — nor be left behind — lest iEthe, though a mare, pour 
disgrace upon you both. Why be left behind, good steeds ? For 

3 And their running to the horses stretched. 

4 og go. — he who, &c. 5 His equestrian yoke. 



ILIAD XXIIL— Y. 410— 44S. 385 

thus I tell you, and it will surely be accomplished : no care will 410 
there be for you with Nestor, shepherd of the people, but he 
will immediately slay you with sharp brass, if lazy, we bear 
away the more unworthy prize. But get up with them then, 
and hasten as speedily as possible. These things I shall myself 415 
contrive and see — to pass him in the narrowest road ; nor shall 
it escape me 6 ." 

Thus he spake ; and they, fearing the threat of their master, 
ran faster, a little while : and immediately after the stout war- 
rior Antilochus beheld the narrows of the hollow way. It was 
a cleft of the earth, where the wintry water, collected, had 420 
broken away part of the road, and deepened all the place; 
thither Menelaus drove, avoiding a concussion of wheels. But 
Antilochus, turning out of the road, directed his solid-hoofed 
horses, and deviating a little, pursued him. Then Atrides was 425 
afraid, and shouted to Antilochus : 

" Antilochus, thou drivest 7 madly ; but check thy steeds — for 
the road is narrow, and thou wilt soon drive past in a wider — 
lest thou damage both, by running foul of my chariot." 

Thus he spake : but Antilochus still drove even much faster, 
impelling them on with the lash, like one who did not hear 8 . 430 
As far as are the casts of a quoit, hurled from the shoulder, which 
a vigorous man throws, making trial of his strength 9 ; so far they 
ran together ; but the mares of Atrides fell behind ; for he him- 
self, of his own accord, ceased to urge, lest the solid-hoofed horses 
should run foul of each other in the road, and overturn the 435 
well-compacted chariots, and they themselves fall amid the dust, 
while contending for victory. The yellow-haired Menelaus also 
addressed him, reviling : 

"Antilochus, none other among mortals is more pernicious 
than thou. Begone, for we Achaaans have untruly said thou 440 
wert a prudent person. Yet not even thus shalt thou bear away 
the prize without an oath 1 ." 

So saying, he animated his coursers, and spake to them : "'For 
my sake do not dally, nor stand, grieving in your hearts : the 
feet and knees of them will be sooner weary than yours ; for 
they have both lost their vigour." 445 

Thus he spake : and they, respecting the exhortation of their 
.lord, ran more fleetly, and were soon near to them. 

And the Argives, sitting in assembly, looked towards the 

6 i. e. the opportunity* "' Guidest thy horses. 

8 As like to one not hearing. 9 Of his youth. 

1 i. e. you shall take an oath that you had no malicious designs — that it was not 
your purpose to gain vour object by overturning me. 

27 



386 ILIAD XXIIL—V. 449— 490. 

steeds ; and they flew along, raising dust, over the plain. And 

450 first Iclomeneus, leader of the Cretans, distinguished the horses ; 
for he sat out of the ring, very high upon a watch tower ; and 
hearing him 2 , though afar off, animating his steeds, knew him. 
He distinguished also a remarkable horse taking the lead, which 

455 in every other place indeed was of a chesnut colour, but in its 
forehead there was a white circular spot, like the moon. And 
he stood upright, and delivered this speech among the Argives: 
" O friends, leaders and princes of the Argives, do I alone 
observe the coursers, or do ye also ? Other steeds appear to me 
to be the foremost, and there seems another charioteer : and his 

460 mares, which were there superior, have been impeded somewhere 
upon the plain : for assuredly, I saw them passing round the 
turning-post first, but now I am no longer able to see them, 
though, gazing, my eyes look in all directions over the Trojan 

465 plain. Surely the reins have dropped 3 from the charioteer, and 
he could not well check his horses round the turning-post, and 
was unfortunate 4 in turning. There I am afraid he fell out, and 
at the same time broke the car, and the mares bolted, when fury 

470 seized their souls. But look ye also, rising 5 , for I do not well 
distinguish • yet it appears to me to be an TEtolian by birth, who 
rules over Argives, the son of the horse-taming Tydeus, gallant 
Diomedes." 

And him the swift Ajax, son of Oileus, sharply reproved : 
" Idomeneus, why chatterest thou prematurely ? Those high- 

475 galloping 6 mares scour the vast plain far away. Neither art 
thou so much the youngest among the Argives, nor do thine 
eyes see the sharpest from out thy head ; but thou always talkest 
too fast. Nor does it become thee to be prating, when others, 

480 thy superiors, are by. But the same mares — those of Eumelus, 
are still foremost, which were before, and he himself is advancing, 
holding the reins." 

And to him, in reply, the leader of the Cretans, indignant, 
spake : " Ajax, best at abuse, reviler — in all other things thou 
art inferior to the Argives — because thy disposition is sour; 

4S5 come, let us bet 7 a ' tripod or a goblet, and appoint Agamemnon, 
son of Atreus, umpire, as to which horses are foremost ; that thou 
mayst learn modesty by paying 8 ." 

Thus he spake; and swift Ajax, son of OTleus, instantly 

490 started up to reply in angry words, And the strife would have 



2 Diomedes. 3 Fled. 4 Did not obtain. 

5 ocvacVac)ov, in an upright position. 6 Lifting their feet into the air. 

7 Bind ourselves with. 8 i. e. pay the penalty of your insolence. 






ILIAD XXIII.—V. 491—537. 387 

now proceeded farther with both, had not Achilles himself stood 
up, and delivered this speech : 

* No longer now, O Ajax and Idomeneus, reply in harsh and 
angry words ; for it is not becoming, and ye also would blame 
another, who did such things : but, sitting down in the ring, look 495 
ye to the horses ; they will, contending for victory, soon come 
here themselves ; and then ye will know each of you, the steeds 
of the Argive, which are second, and which are first." 

Thus he spake ; and Diomedes, dashing along, came very 
near, and always urged on his coursers, with the lash over the 500 
shoulders : and his steeds rose high into the air, rapidly making 
their way, and clouds of dust kept falling on their charioteer. 
And the chariot, ornamented with gold and tin, rolled along 
close to the swift-footed, horses, nor was there a deep track of 
the tires behind in the fine dust, for they flew, hastening. And 505 
he stood in the middle of the course, and much sweat sprang out 
from the steeds from their crests and chests to the ground. 
And he himself sprang to the ground from his glittering car, and 
lent his scourge against the yoke ; nor was the gallant Sthenelus 
idle, but eagerly took the prize, and gave the lady to his brave 510 
comrades, to take away, and the handled tripod to bear off: and 
he himself unyoked the horses. 

And next to him Neleian Antilochus drove his steeds, out- 
stripping Menelaus by guile, — not certainly by speed. Yet 
even thus Menelaus kept his fleet coursers near him; but as 515 
distant from the wheel as is a horse, which, stretching along with 
its chariot, drags its master over the plain, and the last hairs of 
its tail touch the wheel-tire, for it runs very near, nor is there 520 
much space between, as it scours the vast plain 9 ; so far was 
Menelaus left behind by noble Antilochus-; though at first he 
had been left behind as much as a quoit's cast, he speedily over- 
took him ; for the good vigour of Agamemnon's mare, the beau- 525 
tiful-maned iEthe, was increased. And if the race had been 
yet farther to both, in that case* he would have passed hini by, 
nor left the victory doubtful. And Meriones, the active comrade 
of Idomeneus, was left behind a spear's cast by the illustrious 530 
Menelaus ; for his steeds were the slowest, and he himself the 
worst at driving a car in contest. But the son of Admetus came 
last of all 1 , dragging his handsome chariot, and driving his horses 
before him. And beholding, swift-footed noble Achilles pitied 535 
him, and standing among the Argives, uttered these winged 
words : 

" The best man drives his solid-hoofed horses last. But come, 

fl It running over much plain. ' Of the others. 



388 ILIAD XXIIL— V. 537—580. 

let us give him, as is fitting, the second prize : and let the son 
of Tydeus bear away the first." 

Thus he spake ; and all approved as he commanded. And 

540 now he would have given him the mare — for the Achseans ap- 
proved — had not Antilochus, son of brave Nestor, rising, answered 
Achilles, the son of Peleus, with justice : 

" I shall be very angry with thee, O Achilles, if thou givest 
effect to that speech ; for thou art going to deprive me of my 

545 reward, thinking these 2 things, that his car and fleet horses met 
with an accident, and himself was a good driver ; but he ought 
to have prayed to the immortals, so he would not have come 
driving last. But if thou pitiest him, and it be agreeable to thy 
mind, there is in thy tent much gold, and there is brass, and 

550 there are cattle, and handmaids, and solid-hoofed steeds. Taking 
from these, by and bye, give him even a greater reward, or even 
now at once, that the Achseans may praise thee. But this mare 
I will not give up, and let him among the warriors strive for her, 
who chooses to contend with me in battle 3 ." 

555 Thus he spake ; and swift-footed noble Achilles smiled, con- 
gratulating Antilochus, because he was a comrade dear to him ; 
and, answering, addressed to him these winged words : 

" If now, O Antilochus, thou dost advise me to give to Eume- 
lus something else from my house, that will I do. I will give 

560 hj m t ne corselet, which I took from Asteropasus, brazen, and 
around which runs a rim of shining tin j and it will be of great 
value to him 4 ." 

He said ; and commanded his beloved companion Automedon 
to fetch it from the tent ; and he went, and brought it to him ; 

565 anc i ne p U t it into the hands of Eumelus, and he received it re- 
joicing. And Menelaus also rose among them, grieving in his 
mind, vehemently enraged with Antilochus. Then a herald 
placed the sceptre in his hands, and commanded the Argives to 
be silent ; and the godlike hero then spake among them : 

570 "Antilochus, heretofore prudent, — what hast thou done? 
Thou hast disgraced my skill, and wronged my steeds, pushing 
on before them thine, which are very much inferior. Come 
then, ye leaders and princes of the Argives, judge ye between 

575 us both 5 , and not for favour ; lest some of the brazen-mailed 
Achseans should say : ■ Menelaus, having oppressed Antilochus 
with falsehoods, is going to carry off the mare, because, though 
his horses were much inferior, he himself is superior in dignity 

5^0 and power. 7 But come, I will myself judge, and I am not afraid 6 

2 i. e. on this ground. 3 With hands. 

4 It will be worth — or equivalent to much. * In the middle to both. 

6 I do not think. 



ILIAD XXIIL— V. 581—620. 389 

that any others of the Danaans will blame me, for the sentence will 
he just. Come, if thou wilt, noble Antilochus, as it is proper, 
standing before thy horses and car, and holding in thine hands 
the pliant lash, with which thou didst drive before, touching the 
steeds, swear by earth encircling Neptune, that thou didst not 585 
designedly impede 7 my car by guile." 

And to him, in reply, the prudent Antilochus said : " Bear 
with me now, for I am much younger than thou, O king Mene- 
laus, and thou art elder and superior to me. Thou knowest 
what are the follies of a young man ; for his temper is hasty, and 590 
his wisdom weak. Therefore let thy heart bear with me, for I 
will myself give thee the steed, which I have received. And if 
thou demandest aught else of greater value from my liouse, I 
would prefer immediately to give it, rather than fall forever, 
O noble prince, from thy good will 8 , and be a sinner 9 against the 595 
gods." 

He spake ; and the son of brave Nestor, leading the mare, 
placed it in the hands of Menelaus ; and the soul of Menelaus 
was cheered, as the dew on the ears of growing corn refreshes 
them, what time the fields are bristling with grain. So indeed, 
O Menelaus, was thy soul in thy breast cheered j and, speaking, 600 
he addressed him in these winged words : 

Ci Now indeed, Antilochus, will I myself give way, angry as I 
was, for thou hast been before neither foolish nor hair-brained : 
though now, on the contrary, thy youth conquered thy reason. 605 
Avoid, a second time, over-reaching 1 thy superiors ; for another 
of the Achseans might not easily have appeased me. But as 2 
thou hast already suffered much, and performed much, as well 
as thy good father and brother, for my sake — therefore will I 610 
be persuaded by thee, thus supplicating, and likewise will give 
the mare, though she is mine ; that these also may know, that 
my soul is never unjust and ungentle." 

He said ; and gave the steed to Noemon, the comrade of Anti- 
lochus, to lead away ; and then took the glittering goblet him- 
self. And Meriones, the iowxth, just as he drove his car, took 
up the two talents of gold ; and the fifth prize was left, a double 615 
vase, which Achilles, carrying through the assembly of the Ar- 
gives, gave to Nestor, and, standing by him, said : 

"Accept it now, and let this gift he preserved by thee, to be a 
memorial of the burial of Patroclus, for never more shalt thou 
behold him among the Argives. And I present thee with this 620 

7 Entrap, entangle. 8 From the mind to thee. 

9 i. e. by violating the respect due to elders and superiors. ! To over-reach. 

2 aXXa yoig — ya£ refers to tco in line 609. 



390 ILIAD XXIIL— V. 621—660. 

prize thus : for thou wilt not fight with the csestus, nor wrestle, 
nor take part in the hurling of the javelin, nor run with thy feet, 
since afflictive old age now presses thee." 

So saying, he placed it in, his hands ; and he received it re- 
625 joicing, and, addressing him, uttered these winged words : 

" Assuredly, my child, thou hast said all these things with 
propriety ; for no longer, dear, are my limbs firm, nor my feet : 
nor yet do my hands move light on both sides from my shoulders. 

630 Would that I were as young, and my strength as firm to me, as 
when the Epeians buried king Amorynceus, at Buprasium, and 
his sons staked the prizes of the king. Then no man was a 
match for me, neither of the Epeians, nor of the Pylians them- 
selves, nor of the brave iEtolians. With the caestus I conquered 
(Jlytomedes, son of Enops; and, in wrestling, Ancseus, the 

635 Pleuronian, who stood up against me : and on foot I outstripped 
Iphiclus, though a good runner ; and with the spear I threw 
beyond Phyleus and Polydorus. The two sons of Actor out- 
drove me with their steeds alone 3 by number 4 overcoming me, 

640 eager for victory, because the greatest prizes were left for that 
struggle. And they were two ; the one steadily guided the 
reins, and the other urged on the steeds with the lash. Thus 
was I once, but now, in turn, let younger men undertake such 
deeds : for it becomes me now to obey sad old age, though I then 

645 excelled among heroes. Go then, and celebrate thy comrade's 
obsequies with other games. This, however, I willingly accept, 
and it delights my soul, that thou art ever mindful of me, who 
am kindly disposed to thee — nor am I forgotten by thee — On 

650 account of this honour, with which it is right for me to be hon- 
oured among the Achaaans. And for these things may the Gods 
give thee an ample return 5 ." 

Thus he spake ; and the son of Peieus went down the large 
assembly of the Achaaans, after he had heard all the praise of 
Nestor. And he stated the prizes for a laborious boxing-match. 

655 Leading a mule, patient of toil, six years old, unbroken, one most 
difficult to be tamed, he tied it down in the circus; and for the 
conquered, again, he staked a double cup : and then stood up- 
right, and delivered this speech among the Argives : 

u Ye sons of Atreus, and other well-greaved Achasans, for these 
prizes we invite two men, who art the most expert, most en- 
during, to strike with their fists ; and to whichever Apollo give 

660 victory, and all the Achseans approve, let him, taking the mule. 



l. e. it was only in the car-race I was beaten, 

I, e. by there being two of them. 5 Becoming favour. 



ILIAD XXIIL— Y. 661— 702. 391 

patient of labour, conduct it to his tent ; and the vanquished 
shall bear away this double cup." 

Thus he spake ; and immediately rose a brave man and huge, 
skilful in boxing, Epeios, the son of Panopeus ; and he touched 665 
the mule, patient of labour, and said : 

" Let him draw near, who shall bear away the double cup ; 
but I say that no other of the Achseans, conquering with his 
fists, shall lead away the mule : since I profess myself to be the 
best boxer. Is it not enough that I am inferior in battle 6 ? It 670 
is by no means possible for a man to be skilled in all works. For 
thus I declare, and it shall also be accomplished, I will, in the pre- 
sence of you all 7 , lacerate his body, and break his bones. And 
let his friends 8 remain here assembled, who shall carry him out, 675 
subdued by my hand." 

Thus he spake ; and they ail became mutely silent. And 
Euryalus alone stood up against him, a godlike hero, son of king 
Mecisteus, a descendant of TalaTon, who once came to Thebes at 
the funeral of the fallen (Edipodes 9 , and there overcame all the 680 
Cadmeians. Him the spear-skilled Tydides attended, encour- 
aging him with words, for he greatly wished him victory. And 
first he threw round him his girdle, and then gave him the well- 
cut 1 thongs made of the hide of a wild bull. And they, having 
girded themselves, advanced into the middle of the circus, and 685 
both at once, lifting their strong hands in opposition, fell to, and 
their heavy hands were mingled together. And there was a 
dreadful crashing of jaws, and the sweat flowed in all directions 
from their limbs. And noble Epeios rushed in, and struck him 690 
on the cheek while looking around, nor was he able longer to 
stand ; for his good limbs sunk under him. And as when, under 
the breeze of the north wind, a fish leaps out upon the weedy 
shore, and the black billow covers it ; so leaped he up 2 when 
struck. And the brave Epeios, taking him in his hands, raised 695 
him up ; and his dear comrades stood round, who led him through 
the circus with his feet dragging, spitting out clotted blood." and 
dropping his head on one side ; and then, leading him, placed 
him among them, insensible 3 ; and, departing, they took the 
double cup. 

And the son of Peleus quickly proposed other prizes — the ^00 
third — for sharp wrestling, showing them to the Danaans; for 
the conqueror a large tripod, fit for the fire, and the Achacans 

6 i. e. is it not enough, that though I am inferior in battle, I am superior in 

boxing 1 7 Or, entirely. 

8 Those who care for him. 9 i. e. Etcoclcs. 

1 These are caestus — or boxing-gloves. 2 r. e. and fell. 3 Delirious. 



392 ILIAD XXIIL— V. 703—745. 

valued it among themselves at twelve oxen; and for the van- 
quished man he placed a female in the midst. And many works 

705 she understood, and they valued her at four oxen. And he stood 
upright, and delivered this speech among the Argives : 

" Arise, ye also who will attempt this contest." Thus he 
spake ; and up then the mighty Telamonian Ajax arose, and the 
sagacious Ulysses stood up, skilful in wiles. And these, having 

710 girded themselves, advanced into the middle of the circus, and 
seized each other in an embrace 4 with their strong hands : as 
when the rafters of a lofty house are interwoven, which a skilful 
builder has fitted, warding off the violence of the winds. Then 

715 their backs cracked, forcibly dragged by their powerful hands, 
and the copious sweat ran down ; and many whelks, purple with 
blood, started up upon their sides and shoulders. Yet always 
eagerly sought they the victory, for the sake of the well-wrought 
tripod. Neither could Ulysses overthrow, nor at all bring him 

720 to the ground,' nor could Ajax, for the firm strength of Ulysses 
hindered him. But when the well-armed Acheeans were now 
growing weary, then at length the mighty Telamonian Ajax 
addressed him : 

" Most noble son of Laertes, wily Ulysses, either lift thou me 
up, or I thee, and the consequences will be a care to Jove 5 ." 

725 So saying, he lifted him up : but Ulysses was not forgetful of 
a stratagem. Aiming at his ham, behind, he struck him, and 
loosened his limbs, and he fell backwards ; and Ulysses fell upon 
his breast ; and the people, again, gazed in admiration, and were | 

730 amazed. Next noble Ulysses resolute, raised him in turn, and 
moved him a little from the ground, and yet did not lift him up ; 
but twisted round his knee ; and both fell upon the ground near 
one another, and were covered with dust. And a third time, 
springing up, would they have wrestled, had not Achilles himself 
stood up and restrained them : 

735 " No longer contend, nor weary yourselves with evils. Vic- 
tory belongs to both, therefore depart, taking equal rewards, that 
other Achasans also may contend." 

Thus he spake ; and they very readily listened to him, and 
obeyed ; and, brushing away the dust, put on their tunics. And 

740 the son of Peleus immediately stakes other rewards — those of 
speed, — a wrought silver cup, and it contained six measures, and 
in beauty greatly excelled every one upon the whole earth, for 
the ingenious Sidonians had skilfully wrought it, and Phosni- 

745 cians had brought it over the dark sea, and placed it in the har- 

4 ayxag — within their arms. 

5 toc ecu — thing then, or after — leave the rest to Jove. 



ILIAD XXIII.— Y. 746—786. 393 

hours, and given it as a present to Thoas. And Euneus, son of 
Jason, had given it to the hero Patroclus, as a ransom for Lycaon, 
son of Priam. This also Achilles put as a prize to be contended 
for, in honour of his comrade, by him who was most active with 
rapid feet ; for the second again he proposed an ox, large and 750 
flourishing with fat ; and for the last he staked half a talent of 
gold. And he stood upright and delivered this speech among 
the Argives : 

iC Arise, ye who would make trial of this contest also." Thus 
he spake ; and immediately swift Ajax, son of Oileus, rose, and 
wily Ulysses ; and then Antilochus, son of Nestor, for he indeed 755 
excelled all the youths in speed 6 . And they stood in a row, and 
Achilles showed the bounds ; and their course was marked out 
by a turning post. Then the son of Oileus swiftly took the 
lead ; but the noble Ulysses pressed very close upon him ; as 760 
when a shuttle is near the breast 7 of a well-zoned woman, which 
she throws very skilfully in her hands, drawing out along the 
shuttle-thread, and holds it near her breast ; so Ulysses ran near 
him ; and with his feet struck his foot-marks behind, before the 
dust was sprinkled about. Moreover noble Ulysses, always 765 
running swiftly, poured his breath upon his head ; and all the 
Achseans shouted for him, eager for victory, and animated him, 
hastening rapidly. And when now they were completing the 
end of their race, Ulysses immediately prayed within his mind 
to the blue-eyed Minerva: 

"Hear me, O goddess, and come a kind assistant to my 770 
feet." 

Thus he spake, praying ; and Pallas Minerva heard him ; and 
she made his knees light, his feet, and his hands above. And 
when at last they were just going to spring upon the prize, then 
Ajax slipped, whilst running — for Minerva did the mischief — 
where the dung was scattered about of the slaughtered loud- 775 
lowing oxen, which swift-footed Achilles had slain in honour of 
Patroclus ; and his mouth and his nostrils were filled with cow- 
dung. Then brave, noble Ulysses took up the goblet, as he 
came in first : and the illustrious Ajax received the ox. And he 780 
stood, holding the horn of the wild bull in his hands ; and, spit- 
ting out the dung, said among the Argives : 

" Alas ! it is a goddess that has injured my feet, who ever of 
old, like a mother, stands by and assists Ulysses." 

Thus he spake ; and they all then laughed heartily at him. 
And Antilochus now took away the lowest prize, smiling, and 785 
delivered this speech among the Argives : 

m - 

6 With his feet. i (trqteos governed by «7X'* 



394 ILIAD XXIII.— V. 787—8 28. 

" I speak to you all, who know it, my friends, that still even 
now the immortals honour the aged. For Ajax, indeed, is a 

790 little older than I ; but this 8 man is one of a former generation, 
and of former men ; yet they say that he is of a green old age, 
and it is difficult for the Achaeans to contend with him in speed, 
excepting Achilles." 

Thus he spake ; and complimented the swift-footed son of 
Peleus. And Achilles, answering, addressed him in these words : 

795 " Thy praise, O Antilochus, shall not be spoken in vain — but 
I will add half a talent of gold for thee." 

So saying, he placed it in his hands ; and he received it, re- 
joicing. And the son of Peleus, carrying them into the circus, 
laid down a long spear, and a shield, and an helmet, the arms of 

800 Sarpedon, which Patroclus had taken from him : and stood 
upright, and delivered this speech among the Argives: 

" For these prizes we invite two, who are the bravest, clothing 
themselves in armour, and grasping the body-piercing brass, to 
make trial of each other in presence of the assembly. Which- 

805 ever is first in aiming with the spear at the fair body, and touches 
the viscera through the armour and black blood 9 , to him indeed 
shall I give this silver-studded beautiful Thracian sword, which 
I once took from Asteropaeus. But let both bear away this 

810 armour in common; and I will set before them a good feast in 
my tents." 

Thus he spake ; and then the mighty Telamonian Ajax arose, 
and also the son of Tydeus, the gallant Diomedes, sprang up. 
And when they had armed, apart on each side from the throng, 
both came together into the midst, eager to fight, lookiDg fierce- 

815 ly • and amazement seized all the Achseans. And when, advanc- 
ing towards each other, they were near, thrice they sprang 
forward, and thrice charged hand to hand. There then Ajax 
smote his adversary upon the shield, every where equal, but 
reached not the body, for the corslet within defended him. And 

820 Tydides next, with the point of his glittering spear, cut even to 
his neck, over his large shield. And then at last the Achaeans, 
fearing for Ajax, commanded them, desisting, to receive 1 equal 
rewards. And the hero gave the huge sword to Tydides, bring- 

825 ing it, with both its scabbard and well-cut belt. 

Then the son of Peleus laid down a rough iron-quoit, which 
the vast strength of Eetion was formerly wont to throw. Him 
however, swift-footed noble Achilles slew ; and he brought this 

8 Ulysses. 

9 i. e. in one sentence — whichever first wounds the other through his armour. 
1 To lift up. 



ILIAD XXIIL— V. 829-871. 395 

also, with other spoils, into his ships. Then he stood upright, 
and delivered this speech among the Argives : 830 

" Arise, ye who would make trial of this contest also. If the 
rich fields of any one be of ever so great extent, using this, he 
will have enough for even five revolving years 2 ; for neither his 
shepherd nor plowman shall go to the town in want of iron, but S35 
this shall supply it" 

Thus he spake ; and then up sprang the brave Polypoetes, and 
up the gallant might of the godlike Leonteus ; up also the Tel- 
amonian Ajax, and the noble Epeios. Then they stood in a row ; 
and the noble Epeios seized the quoit, and whirling it round, 
hurled it ; and all the Achasans laughed at him. Then Leon- 840 
teus, a branch of Mars, threw second ; third, again, threw the 
mighty Telamonian Ajax from his strong hand, and cast beyond 
the marks of all. But when now stout Polypoetes had seized 
the quoit, — as far as some cow-herd hurls his crook, and it, 845 
whirling, flies through herds of oxen, so far he cast beyond the 
whole field 3 , and the Achasans shouted aloud ; and the comrades 
of the gallant Polypoetes, standing up, carried the prize of the 
king to the hollow ships. 

Next, for the archers, he laid clown black 4 iron, and placed on 850 
the one hand ten battle axes, and on the other ten half-axes. 
And he set upright the mast of a cerulean-beaked ship, at a dis- 
tance on the sand ; from which he fastened a timid dove with a 
small cord, by the foot, at which he ordered them to shoot : S55 
"Whosoever shall strike the timid dove, let him lift up all the 
battle-axes, and bear 5 them to his tent ; and whosoever shall hit 
the string, missing the bird — for he is inferior — let him carry off 
the half-axes." 

Thus he spake ; and then up sprang the might of king Teu- 
cer, and up Meriones, the active comrade of Idomeneus ; and, 860 
seizing the lots, shook them in a brazen helmet. And Teucer 
first gained the lot ; and immediately sent an arrow forcibly,.but 
did not promise to sacrifice a noble hecatomb of firstling lambs 
to king Apollo. The bird he missed, for Apollo grudged him 86*5 
this, but he hit, near the biroVs foot, the string with which the 
bird was fastened; and the bitter arrow cut the string quite 
through. Then the bird mounted towards heaven, and the 
string dropt towards the earth; and the Achceans shouted ap- 
plause. And then Meriones, making haste, snatched the bow S70 
from his hand ; and already was holding the arrow for some time 

2 It — i. e. so large was the mass. 

3 i. e. beyond all the other competitors — aywv used for a^wvjtfr^c. 

4 i. e. apparently — weapons, or tools of iron. 5 Lifting — bear, &c. 



396 ILIAD XXIIL— V. 871—898. 

as he had aimed ; and immediately he vowed to sacrifice to the 
far-darting Apollo a noble hecatomb of firstling lambs. And 

$75 high up, under the clouds, the timid dove he beheld ; and her, 
as she was wheeling round, he hit in the middle, below the 
wing, and the arrow went quite through. It indeed was fixed 
again in the ground before the foot of Meriones ; but the bird 
alighting upon the mast of cerulean-beaked ship, hung down its 
neck, and its thick wings were at the same time distended. And 

880 its fleet soul flew from its members, and it fell far from the 
mast ; and the people wondered at the sight, and were aston- 
ished. And then Meriones lifted up all the ten battle-axes, and 
Teucer bore away the half-axes to the hollow ships. 

Then the son of Peleus, carrying them into the circus, laid 

885 down 6 a long spear, and also a cauldron, untouched by fire, of 
the value of an ox, adorned with flowers ; and forthwith the 
spearmen arose. Up sprang the son of Atreus, wide-ruling 
Agamemnon, and up Meriones, the active comrade of Idomeneus: 
and to them also swift-footed noble Achilles addressed himself: 

890 " Son of Atreus — for we know how far thou surpassest all, and 
how much thou art the best in power and in darting 7 — do thou 
then take 8 to the hollow ships this prize : and we will give the 
spear to the hero Meriones, if, at least, thou wilt consent in thy 
mind ; for so I advise." 

895 Thus he spake ; nor did the king of men, Agamemnon, re- 
fuse ; and Achilles gave the brazen spear to the hero Meriones ; 
and t he hero himself gave the splendid prize to the herald 
Talthybius. 

6. xura, 883, belongs to S*ixe, 885. 

? i/Jtoctfiv — in thongs — with which the javelins were thrown. s Go, having. 









THE 



ILIAD OF HOMER 



BOOK XXIV. 



ARGUMENT. 



Jupiter commands Thetis to repair to Achilles, and require the restoration of Hec- 
tor's body. Mercury, by his desire, also repairs to Priam, whom he guides through 
the Grecian camp to the tent of Achilles. The interview between Achilles and 
Priam. The body is ransomed, brought back to Troy, and honoured with a 
funeral ; for the celebration of which a truce of twelve days had been granted. 

The meeting was now dissolved, and the people were dis- 
persed to go each to the hollow-ships. They indeed were care- 
fid to indulge in the feast and in sweet sleep : but Achilles wept, 
calling to mind his beloved comrade, nor did all-subduing sleep 
take possession of him, and he turned on this side and on that, 5 
mourning the loss 1 of the vigour and mighty courage of Patroclus. 
Whatever things, also, he had accomplished with him, and ichat- 
ever labours suffered, both in the battles of heroes and in crossing 
the dangerous waves — recalling these things, he poured down 
the warm tear, lying sometimes upon his sides, sometimes again 10 
on his back, and at other times on his belly : and then, starting 
upright, wandered about, in sadness, by the shore of the sea ; 
nor did the morn, appearing over the sea and shores, escape his 
observation 2 . And when he had yoked his fleet horses to the 
car, he fastened Hector to be dragged behind his car : and hav- 15 
ing drawn him thrice round the tomb of the dead son of Men- 
oetius, again rested in his tent ; and left him, having stretched 
him (Hector) prone in the dust. But Apollo kept away all 
pollution from his body, pitying the hero, even although dead ; 
and covered him all round with his golden Mgis, that, in drag- 20 
ging him, he (Achilles) might not lacerate him." 

1 Desiring or wishing for the vigour, &c. 2 i. e. he was still awake. 



398 ILIAD XXIV.— V. 23—64, 

Thus he indeed; raging, insulted noble Hector; but the 
blessed gods, looking towards him. felt compassion, and stirred 
25. up the watchful Argiphontes 3 to steal him. Then indeed that 
pleased all the rest, but by no means Juno, nor Neptune, nor 
the blue-eyed maid (Minerva) ; but they were obstinate, as 
sacred Ilium was from the first hateful to them, as well as Priam 
30 and his people, on account of the insult of Paris, who affronted 
the goddesses 4 , when they came to his cot, and favoured her 
who gratified his sad lust. But when the twelfth morning from 
that had arisen, then also Phoebus Apollo spake among the im- 
mortals : 

"Ye are cruel, O gods, and injurious. Did Hector never 
burn for you the legs of bulls and of choice goats ? And will ye 
35 now not venture to rescue him, a corpse, for his wife, and 
mother, and his son, and his father Priam, and the people to 
behold ; who would quickly burn him with fire, and perform for 
him his funeral obsequies ? But ye desire to bestow favour, 
O ye gods, upon the destructive Achilles, in whose bosom there 
40 is neither a just mind, nor a flexible disposition; and who is as 
savage 5 as a lion, which, when yielding to his great strength and 
haughty spirit, rushes upon the flocks of men, that he may take 
his repasts. Thus Achilles has destroyed compassion, nor is 
45 there in him respect for others — a quality which both greatly 
injures men, and benefits them. For a man may lose another 
even more dear, either an own brother, or even a son, but he 
desists from weeping and lamenting, for the fates have into men 
50 put an enduring mind. Whereas this man drags Hector round 
the tomb of his beloved comrade, fastening him to his car, after 
he has deprived him of valued life ; although that is not proper, 
nor better for himself. Let him beivare, lest we be avenged on 
him, brave as he is — for raging, he insults even the insensible 
earth." 
55 And to him white-armed Juno, indignant said : " This might 
indeed be thy speech, god of the silver bow, if ye gods 
were to give equal honour to Achilles and to Hector. Hector 
is a mortal, and sucked a woman's breast; but Achilles is the 
offspring of a goddess, whom I myself brought up and nursed, 
60 and gave as a wife to the hero Peleus, who is dear to the im- 
mortals at heart: and ye were all present at the nuptials, O ye 
gods ; and thou among them didst feast, holding thy tyre, O com- 
panion of the worthless, ever faithless." 

And to her cloud-compelling Jove, answering said : " Juno, be 

3 Slayer of Argus — Mercury 

4 Juno and Minerva. 5 Knows savage things. 



ILIAD XXRV-V.65-106. 399 

not now altogether enraged with the go^s ; for their 6 honour 65 
shall not be one ; but even Hector was to the gods the dearest 
of the mortals who are in Ilium ; for so he ivas to me ; because 
he never failed in agreeable gifts. For my altar never wanted 
an equal feast, frankincense, nor odour : and that honour is 70 
ours by fate. Nevertheless we will have nothing to do with steal- 
ing brave Hector — nor indeed can it possibly be clone without 
the knowledge of Achilles — for he always watches him, as well 
by night as by day, like a mother. But I wish one of the gods 
would call Thetis near me, that I may speak to her a prudent 75 
word, in order that Achilles may accept gifts from Priam, and 
set Hector free." 

Thus he spake ; and Iris, swift as the storm, arose to carry the 
message. And midway between Samos and the rugged Imbrus 
she sprang into the dark sea, and the water echoed again. And 
she sank to the bottom like a leaden bullet, which, put into the 80 
horn of a wild bull, descends, bearing death to carnivorous fishes. 
And Thetis she found in her hollow cave, and around her sat the 
other sea goddesses, collected together ; and she, in the midst, 
was weeping the fate of her own illustrious son, who was soon to §5 
perish at fertile Troy, far from his native land. And swift-footed 
Iris, standing near, addressed her : 

" Rise, Thetis. Jove, skilful in eternal counsels, calls thee." 
And her answered then the silver-footed goddess, Thetis : 

u Why does that mighty god summon me ? I am ashamed 9C 
to mix with immortals, for I have innumerable woes in my 
soul. But I must go; nor will the word be in vain, which he 
speaks." 

Thus then having spoken, the noblest of the goddesses took 
.ier dark veil, and there was not a blacker robe than it. And 
she set out to go, and the wind-footed, fleet Iris led the way be- 95 
fore ; and the water of the sea retired on each side of them. 
And next, ascending the shore, they rushed up 7 to heaven. And 
they found the far-sounding son of Saturn ; and all the other 
blessed ever-living gods sat assembled round him ; and she then 
sat down beside father Jove, and Minerva gave place to her. 100 
And Juno placed a beautiful golden cup in her hands, and con- 
soled her with words; and Thetis, having drunk, returned it. 
And the father of men and gods began among them in these 
words : 

"Thou hast come to Olympus, though grieved, O goddess 
Thetis, having in thy mind a sorrow not to be forgotten ; and 105 
I myself know it. But even so must I speak, and for this have 

Hector and Achilles. ' They were impelled up. 



400 ILIAD XXIV— Y. 10S— 148. 

I called thee hither. Nine days already has a contest been ex- 
cited amongst the immortals respecting the body of Hector, and 

110 Achilles, destroyer of cities; and they have urged the watchful 
Argiphontes to steal him. But I rather give this glory 8 to 
Achilles, preserving for the future thy respect and love. Go 
with all speed to the camp, and enjoin thy son. Tell him that 
the gods are offended, and that I above all the immortals am dis- 
pleased, because with furious mind he detains Hector at the 

115 beaked ships, nor releases him: and see if he will respect me, 
and restore Hector. And I will dispatch Iris to noble Priam, for 
him to repair to the ships of the Achseans, and ransom his be- 
loved son, and carry gifts to Achilles, which will soothe his soul." 

120 Thus he spake; nor did Thetis, the silver-footed goddess, 
disobey ; but, leaping, descended from the summits of Olympus. 
And she came to the tent of her own son, and in it she then found 
him, incessantly groaning ; and round him his beloved comrades 

125 were busily employed, and cooking a repast, for a large thick- 
fleeced sheep had been slain by them in the tent. And his 
august mother sat down very near him, and caressed him with 
i her hand, and addressed him, and called him by name : 

u How long 9 , O my son, grieving and lamenting, wilt thou thus 
consume thy heart, having no remembrance of either food or the 

130 couch ? Yet it is good to mingle in love with woman ; and thou 
wilt not live long for me, but death and powerful destiny already 
stand close to thee. But quickly learn from me, for 1 am a mes- 
senger to thee from Jove. He says that the gods are offended 

135 w ith thee, and that himself above all the immortals is displeased, 
because with furious mind thou detainest Hector at the hollow 
ships, nor releasest him. Come then, restore, and accept the 
ransom of the corpse." 

And to her swift-footed Achilles, answering, said : "Let him 
come hither, who brings the ransom, and carry away the corpse, 

140 if the Olympian himself now command it with a mind disposed 
to it 1 ." 

Thus they, the mother and the son, at the assemblage of the 
ships, spake many winged words to one another. 

And the son of Saturn urged Iris towards sacred Troy : — 
" Haste— away, rapid Iris, quitting the seat of Olympus, bear a 

145 message to brave Priam to Ilium, — that repairing, to the ships 
of the Achaeans, he ransom his beloved son, and carry gifts to 
Achilles, which will soothe his mind — himself alone, nor let any 
other of the Trojans go with him. Let some herald, advanced 

8 i. e. which he is going to mention — selling the body. 

9 Up to what time. J i. e. seriously. 



ILIAD XXIV.— V. 150—191. 401 

in years accompany him, to guide his mules and well-wheeled 150 
waggon, as well as to bring back again to the city the corpse. 
which the noble Achilles has slain ; nor let death be a trouble to 
his mind 2 , nor any dread — such a conductor we shall give him, 
the Argicide, who shall lead him, guiding him until he place him 
beside Achilles. And when he has led him within the tent of 155 
Achilles, Achilles will not himself slay him, and will keep off all 
others ; for he is neither foolish, nor improvident, nor impious, 
but will very humanely spare a suppliant man." 

Thus he spake ; and Iris swift as the storm, hastened to de- 
liver her message. And she came to Priam's, and found wailing 160 
and lamentation. His sons, sitting round their father in the 
hall, were drenching their robes with tears : and the old man, in 
the midst, was wrapt closely up in a cloak, and around on the 
head and neck of the old man was much filth; which, while 165 
rolling on the ground, he had heaped on with his own hands. 
And his daughters and daughters-in-law throughout the houses 
were lamenting, remembering those, who, many and brave, lay, de- 
prived of life by the hands of the Argives. And the messenger 
of Jove stood beside Priam, and addressed him, speaking low, 170 
and a tremor seized his limbs 3 . 

" Be confident, O Dardan Priam, in thy mind, nor fear aught : 
for this is not an evil I come announcing to thee, but designing 
good ; for I am to thee the messenger of Jove, who, though far ■ 
off, greatly cares for, and pities thee. The Olympian commands 175 
thee to ransom the noble Hector, and to carry gifts to Achilles, 
which will soothe his soul, — thyself alone, nor let any other 
man of the Trojans go with thee. Let some herald, advanced 
in years, accompany thee, to guide thy mules and well-wheeled 
waggon, as well as to bring back to the city the corpse, which 180 
noble Achilles has slain. Nor let death be a care in thy mind, 
nor any dread ; for such a conductor shall accompany thee, the 
Argicide, who shall lead thee, till, guiding thee, he shall place 
thee near Achilles. And when he shall have conducted thee 185 
within the tent of Achilles, he (Achilles) will not slay thee him- 
self, and will keep away all others ; for he is neither foolish, nor 
improvident, nor sinful, but will very humanely spare a suppliant 
man." 

Thus then having spoken, swift-footed Iris departed. And 
Priam enjoined his sons to make ready his good-wheeled car, 
drawn by mules, and to bind upon it a coffer ; and he himself 190 
descended into a scented chamber made of cedar, lofty-roofed, 

2 i. e. Let no fear of death trouble him. 

3 But a tremor seized him as to the knees. 

28 



402 ILIAD XXIV.— V. 192—232. 

which contained many treasures, and called to him his spouse 
Hecuba, and said : 

" My dear spouse, an Olympian messenger has come to me 
from Jove, to go to the ships of the Achaeans and ransom my 

195 beloved son, and to carry gifts to Achilles, which will soothe his 
soul. Come then, tell me this, how seems it to thy mind ? For 
my spirit and wishes strongly impel myself to go there to the 
ships, to the wide camp of the Achaeans." 

200 Thus he spake ; and his wife shrieked, and answered him in 
this speech : " Ah me, where now is gone thy common-sense, for 
which formerly thou wast celebrated among strangers, as well as 
those over whom thou reignest ? Now wilt thou go to the ships 
of the Achaeans alone, to the eyes of the man, who has slain 

205 many and gallant sons of thine ? Iron must be thy heart 4 . For 
if this cruel and faithless man shall seize thee, and behold thee 
with his eyes, he will not pity thee, nor will he have any respect 
for thee. But let us now mourn him apart, sitting in the hall : 
for so 5 at his birth powerful fate thus spun his thread, — what 

210 time I brought him forth, — to glut the light-footed dogs, far 
from his own parents, beside that fierce man, the middle of 
whose liver I would that I held— clinging to it I would devour 
it. Then would the deeds against my son be avenged ; for he 

215 slew not a coward, but one standing in defence of the Trojan 
men, and deep-bosomed Trojan women, mindful neither of flight 
nor avoidance." 

And to her, again, the godlike aged Priam said : " Detain me 
not, when desirous to go, nor be thyself an evil omen 6 within my 

220 halls ; nor shalt thou persuade me. For if indeed any other — 
any of mortals had commanded me, whether they were pro- 
phets, soothsayers, or priests, we might have pronounced it a 
falsehood, and'been the rather averse to it. But now — for I my- 

225 self heard the goddess, and saw her before me — 1 will go, and 
her word shall not be vain ; and if it be my fate to die beside the 
ships of the brazen-mailed Achseans, I am willing ; for I would 
that Achilles instantly slay me, after I, taking my son in my 
arms, have expelled the desire of weeping 7 ." 

He said ; and opened the beautiful lids of the chests ; thence 

230 he took out twelve splendid mantles, twelve single cloaks, and 
as many rich carpets, and as many tunics ; and took full ten talents 
of gold — weighing them. Out also he took two glittering tri- 

4 i. e. insensible to fear — not to pity. 5 tw — by that. 6 Bird. 

' For I could wish that Achilles would kill me at once, when having taken my 
son in my arms, I have taken out of myself the desire of grief — i, e. when I have 
embraced my son, and given vent to my sorrow. 



ILIAD XXIV.-V. 234—277. 403 

pods, and four bowls, and a most beautiful cup, which the Thra- 
cian men had given to him, when he went there on an embassy, a 235 
mighty gift. Not even this did the old man then spare in his 
halls : for he wished above all things in his mind to ransom his 
beloved son. And he drove away all the Trojans from his por- 
tal, reviling them in opprobrious words : 

" Begone, infamous and vile ; is there not now lamentation 
enough for you at home, that ye come to trouble me ? Or are 240 
ye pleased that Jove, the son of Saturn has sent sorrows upon 
me, to lose my bravest boy ? But ye too will yourselves know 
them 8 ; for ye will be much easier for the Acheeans to destroy, 
now, he is dead. I shall, however, before I behold with my eyes 245 
the citv plundered and laid waste, descend to the abode of 
Hades.' 5 

He said ; and chased away the men with his staff, and they 
rushed out, the old man driving them. And he threatened his 
own sons, reviling them — Helenus, and Paris, and godlike Aga- 
thon, and Pammon, and Antijohonus, and gallant Polltes, and 250 
Deiphobus, and Hippothous, and noble Dios. These nine, the 
old man, reviling, commanded thus : 

u Hasten from me, ye base children, scandals, would that ye 
had altogether been slain at the swift ships, instead of Hector. 
Oh, every way unfortunate ! for I begot the bravest sons in wide 255 
Troy, and I say none of them is left ; godlike Mestor, and eques- 
trian Troi'lus, and Hector, who was a god among men, nor was 
like the son of a mortal man, but of a god. Those has Mars de- 260 
stroyed for me, but all these wretches are left, liars, and dancers, 
and excellent at choral feasts, and public plunderers of lambs 
and of kids. Will ye not with all speed, make ready for me my 
car, and lay all these things upon it, that we may perform our 
journey." 

Thus he spake : and they then, respecting the chiding of their 265 
father, lifted out the well-wheeled waggon, drawn by mules, 
beautiful, newly built, and bound upon it the coifer. They took 
likewise the yoke made of boxwood for the mules from the peg, 
bossed, well-fitted with collars; and they brought out the traces, 270 
nine cubits in length, alone with the yoke. And this they duly 
fastened to the pole at its outward part, and threw a small ring 
over the hook of the pole. And thrice on each side they tied it 
to the boss ; and when they had successively made it fast, they 
bent it under the angle ; then, carrying the invaluable ransom of 275 
Hector's head from the chamber, they neaped it upon the well 
polished car. Next they yoked the strong-hoofed mules, accus- 

8 scil. oCKysa. 



404 ILIAD XXIV.—V. 278—318. 

tomed to the yoke, which the Mysians once gave to Priam, 
splendid gifts. And they led under the yoke also, for Priam, the 
steeds, which the old man, possessing, fed himself at the well 

280 polished manger. These the herald and Priam 9 themselves 
made ready in the lofty palace, having prudent counsels in their 
minds. And near to them came Hecuba, with a sorrowful mind, 
holding in her right hand sweet wine, in a golden cup, that, 

285 having made libations, they might depart. And she stood before 
the horses, addressed him, and said : 

a Take this, and offer a libation to father Jove, and pray that 
thou mayest return back home again from those hostile men ; 
since thy mind impels thee to the ships, against my will. And 

290 pray thou then to the dark cloud-collecting, Idaean, son of Saturn, 
who looks down upon all Troy ; and ask for the bird, his swift 
messenger, which is the most beloved of birds to himself, and 
whose strength is the greatest, on thy right hand — that, marking 

295 him thyself with thine eyes, thou mayest go, confident in him, 
to the ships of the fleet-horsed Danaans. But if the far-seeing 
Jove will not give thee his own messenger, then I would not, 
urging, advise thee to go to the ships of the Argives, though thou 
art very eager." 

And to her the godlike Priam, answering, said : " O woman, 

300 surely I will not disobey thee, advising this ; for it is good to lift 
up my hands to Jove, that he may pity meP 

The old man spoke ; and he exhorted a diligent handmaid to 
pour pure water upon his hands ; for the handmaid stood by, 
holding in her hands a basin, and with it an ewer : and, washing 

305 himself, he took the cup from his wife. Then he prayed, stand- 
ing in the middle of the court, and poured out a libation of 
wine, looking towards heaven; and, speaking, delivered this 
speech : 

" O father Jove, ruling from Ida, most glorious, most great, 
grant that I may come to Achilles' tent, as a friend, and an 

310 object of pity 1 ; and send the bird, thy swift messenger, which 
is the most beloved of birds to thyself, and whose strength is 
greatest, on my right hand ; that I myself, marking him with 
mine eyes, may go, confident in him, to the ships of the fleet- 
horsed Danaans." 

Thus he spake, praying ; and wise Jove heard him, and im- 

315 mediately sent the eagle, the surest augury of birds, the black 
hunter, which also they call Percnos 2 . As large as is the well- 
closed, neatly-fitted door of the chamber of an opulent man, so 
wide on each side were its wings : and it appeared by them, 

9 tw — refers to x?]£u£ xcci Hpia/xoff. J Pitiable. 2 #. 252. 



ILIAD XXIV— V. 320—360. 405 

rushing on the right-hand over the city. And they, beholding 320 
it, rejoiced, and the soul was gladdened in all their bosoms. 

Then the old man, making haste, mounted his polished car, 
and drove out of the vestibule and resounding portal. Before, 
the mules dragged the four-wheeled waggon, which the skilful 
Idaeus drove ; and behind, were the horses, which the old man 325 
animated, driving them quickly through the city with his lash : 
and together followed all his friends, loudly mourning him, as if 
he were going to death. But when they had descended from 
the city, and reached the plain, the sons and sons-in-law 330 
returned back to Ilium. Nor were these two, proceeding for- 
ward upon the plain, unobserved by the far-seeing Jove ; for, 
beholding the old man, he felt compassion, and immediately ad- 
dressed himself to Mercury, his beloved son: 

" Mercury — for to thee is it particularly agreeable to com- 
panion with man, and thou listenest to whom thou wilt — away 335 
then, and so conduct Priam to the hollow-ships of the Achasans, 
that neither any one may see him, nor yet any of the other Da- 
naans observe him, till he come to Achilles." 

Thus he spake ; nor did the inter-messenger, the Argicide, 
disobey. Forwith then he bound under his feet his beautiful 340 
sandals, ambrosial, golden, which bore him as well over the sea 
as over the immeasurable earth, along with the blasts of the 
wind. And he took his rod, with which he charms the eyes of 
those men whom he chooses, and again rouses those that are 345 
asleep — holding this in his hands, the powerful Argicide flew 
along. And he came forthwith to Troy and the Hellespont, and 
proceeded to go like to a princely youth, first growing into man- 
hood 3 , whose bloom 4 is very graceful. And they, when they had 
driven past the large tomb of Ilus, stopt their mules and horses, 350 
that they might drink in the river ; for darkness had already 
come over the earth. And the herald, looking, marked Mercury 
a little way off, and spake to Priam, and said : 

"Mark, O descendant of Dardanus; there is occasion for a 
prudent mind 5 . I see a man, and I am afraid he will soon de- 355 
stroy us. Come then, let us escape on the horses 6 ; or let us 
now, clasping his knees, intreat that he will pity us." 

Thus he spake ; and the old man's mind was confused, and he 
very much feared ; and the hair stood upright on his flexible 
limbs. And he stood panic-struck ; but Mercury himself com- 360 



3 First coming to the age of puberty. * Youth. 

5 Works of a prudent mind are made — i. e. are at hand, — or there is occasion 
for them. G i. e. on Priam's car — leaving the waggon and mules. 



406 ILIAD XXIV.— V. 361—402. 

ing near, taking the old man's hand, interrogated and addressed 
him: 

" Whither, O father dost thou thus direct thy steeds and 
mules in the ambrosial night, when other mortals sleep ? Fear- 
est thou not the valour-breathing Achasans, who hostile and im- 

365 placable to thee, are near ? If any one of these should see thee 
in the fleet ambrosial night, carrying so many treasures, what 
would be thy feelings then ? Thou art not young thyself — and 
this is an old man who attends thee — to repulse a warrior, should 

370 one first attack thee. But I will do thee no harm, and will re- 
pel any other that would ; for I liken thee to my own dear 
father." 

And him answered then Priam, the godlike old man : " Surely 
these things are so, my dear son, as thou sayest. But one of the 
gods still holds his hand even over me, who has sent such a fa- 

375 vourable conductor to meet me as thou art — admirable in thy 
form and countenance — prudent also art thou in thy mind, and 
sprung- of blessed parents." 

And him again the inter-messenger, the Argicide, addressed : 
" All these things, old man, thou surely hast said with propriety. 

380 Come then, tell me this, and tell me truly ; art thou now taking 
away many and valuable treasures to foreign men, that these at 
least may remain safe for thee ? Or are ye all now quitting 
sacred Troy alarmed ? For so great was that very brave man, 

3S5 thy son, who perished : for he was not at all inferior in combat 
to the Achaeans." 

And him answered then Priam, the godlike old man : " And 
who art thou, O most excellent, and of what parents art thou, 
who speakest honourably to me of the death of my ill-fated 
son ?' ? 

And him again the inter-messenger, the Argicide, addressed : 

390 " Thou triest me, old man, and inquirest about noble Hector — 
him I have very often seen with my eyes in the glorious battle, 
and when, driving the Argives, he slew them at the ships, cut- 
ting through them with his sharp spear ; and we, standing, won- 

395 dered ; for Achilles, enraged with Atrides, permitted us not to 
combat. For I am his servant, and one well-built ship brought 
us. I am one of the Myrmidons, and my father is Polyctor : he 
is wealthy, but now old, as thou art. There are six sons belong- 
ing to him, and I am his seventh, with whom casting lots, I ob- 

400 tained the lot to follow hither. And I am now come to the plain 
from the ships, because in the morning the noble Achasans will 
stir up battle for the city 7 . For they are grieved with sitting 

' i. e. will attack it. 



ILIAD XXIV.— V. 403—441 . 407 

still, nor can the princes of the Achosans restrain them, eager 
for the combat." 

And him answered then Priam, the godlike old man : " If thou 405 
in truth art a comrade of Achilles, son of Peleus, come now, 
relate to me all the truth — is my son still at the ships, or has 
Achilles, tearing him limb from limb, already cast him before his 
dogs." 

And the Argicide, the inter-messenger, again addressed him: 410 
" Old man, not yet have the dogs eaten him, nor the fowls of the 
air ; but he still lies beside the ship of Achilles, in the same 
state 8 at his tents ; and this is the twelfth morning to him thus 
lying, nor is his body at all putrid, nor do the worms devour him 
— those which eat heroes slain in battle. He indeed drags him 415 
piteously round the tomb of his own beloved companion when 
the divine morning appears ; yet he insults him not 9 . Coming 
to him, thou wouldst thyself admire how fresh he lies, and how 
the blood is washed away all round, nor is he any where polluted. 
Moreover all his wounds are closed, as many as were inflicted ; 420 
for many thrust a spear into him. Thus do the blessed gods 
care for thy son, though being a corpse ; since he was dear to 
their hearts 1 ." 

Thus he spake ; and the old man rejoiced, and answered in 
this speech : " O my son, assuredly it is a good thing to give to 425 
the immortals the gifts which are due ; for never did my son, 
whilst he yet was my son 2 , neglect the gods which possess Olym- 
pus ; therefore are they mindful of him, even though in the 
condition 3 of death. Come then, accept from me this handsome 430 
cup ; rescue him for me, and, with the gods, conduct me, until I 
come to the tent of Achilles." 

And him again the inter-messenger, the Argicide, addressed: 
" Old man, thou temptest me, younger than thyself; but thou 
wilt not persuade me ; thou who biddest me accept thy gifts, 
without the knowledge of Achilles. Him I fear and respect at 
my heart too much to plunder, lest some evil afterwards come 435 
upon me. Nevertheless I would be thy conductor even to re- 
nowned Argos, willingly accompanying thee, in a swift ship, or 
on foot 4 ; nor, in truth, would any one fight with thee, through 
contempt for thy guide 5 ." 

Mercury said, and, leaping upon the car and horses, instantly 440 
seized the lash and reins in his hands ; and breathed great vigour 

8 i. e. as he was — untouched. 

9 i. e. does not mangle him — or spoil his appearance. 

i irsgi — very much — beyond others. 2 If ever he was — Cf. T. 180. . 

3 Fate. A i. e. by land. 5 Despising thy guide. 



408 ILIAD XXIV.— V. 442—486. 

into the horses and mules. And when they had now come to 
the ramparts and trench of the ships, the guards were then 

445 newly employed about their repast ; but upon all of them the 
inter-messenger, the Argicide, poured sleep ; and instantly he 
opened the gates and pushed back the bars, and let in Priam, and 
the splendid gifts upon the waggon. And when they reached 
the lofty tent 6 of Pelides, which the Myrmidons had mad« for 

450 their prince, cutting down timbers of fur ; and they covered it 
above with a thatch roof, mowing it from the meadow, and made 
a large court around, with numerous stakes, for their king : one 
h'r bar alone held the door, which three Achajans put to, and 

455 three removed the strong bar of the gates — of other Achaeans ; 
but Achilles even alone put it up. Then indeed the good Mer- 
cury removed it for the old man, and brought in the noble gifts 
to the swift-footed Achilles ; and descended from the car to the 
ground and said : 

460 « 01^ mailj j } Mercury, an immortal god, have in truth come ; 

for my father gave me to thee as a guide. Nevertheless I shall 

now go back, nor be present to the eyes of Achilles ; for it 

would be truly an unbecoming thing for an immortal god thus 

^ openly to favour mortals. But do thou, going in, clasp the 

465 knees of the son of Peleus, and intreat him by his father, and 
fair-haired mother, and his son ; that thou may st awake his sym- 
pathy." 

Thus then having spoken, Mercury departed to lofty Olym- 
pus ; and Priam leaped from his car to the ground, and left Idaaus 

47X) there. And he remained, keeping there the steeds and mules : 
but the old man went straight to the abode, where sat Achilles 
beloved of Jove. And himself he found within ; and his com- 
rades sat apart j but two alone, the hero Automedon, and Alci- 

4^5 mus, a branch of Mars, very near, attended on him. And, eating 
and drinking, he had just ceased from a repast, and the table still 
stood near. And the mighty Priam, entering, was unseen by 
them ; and then, standing near him, he clasped the knees of 
Achilles with his hands, and kissed those terrible man-slaying 
hands, which had slain many of his sons. And as when a severe 

430 calamity seizes a man, who, having slain a man in his native 
country, comes to another state, to the house of an opulent man, 
and stupor possesses the beholders ; so Achilles wondered, seeing 
the godlike Priam ; and the others also wondered, and looked at 
one another. And Priam, supplicating, addressed to him this 

485 speech : 

"Remember thine own>father — O Achilles, who resemblest 

6 The tents were, we see, huts. 



ILIAD XXIV.— V. 487—532. 409 

the gods — of the same age as myself, upon the sad threshold of 
old age. And him perhaps his neighbours, around, are harassing, 
nor is there any one to repel war and destruction. Yet he, 
hearing of thee, being alive, both rejoices in his soul, and every 490 
day hopes to behold his beloved son, returning from Troy. But . 
I am every way miserable, for I begot the bravest sons in wide 
Troy, and of them I say none are left. I had fifty, when the 495 
sons of the Achaeans arrived ; nineteen were from one womb, and 
the rest, women bore to me in my halls. Of the greater part 
fierce Mars hath loosened the knees under them ; and Hector, 
who was my favourite 7 , and defended the city and ourselves, 
hast thou lately slain, fighting for his native land ; for his sake 500 
I now come to the ships of the Achaaans, and bring a precious 
ransom, to redeem him from thee. And respect the gods, O 
Achilles, and pity myself, remembering thy own father ; and I 
am even more wretched, for I have dared, what never any other 505 
earthly mortal has done, to put to my mouth the hand of a man, 
the slayer of my son." 

Thus he spake ; and excited in him the desire of mourning 
for his father ; and then, touching him by the hand, he gently 
pushed away the old man. And recalling to mind — the one, 
prostrate at the feet of Achilles, plentifully wept for Hector, 510 
the homicide ; and Achilles now wept for his own father, and 
now for Patroclus in turn — and their lamentation rang through- 
out the house. And when noble Achilles had indulged his grief, 
and the desire of it had gone away from his breast and limbs, he 515 
rose quickly from his seat, and raised up the old man with his 
hand, pitying both his hoary head and hoary beard : and, address- 
ing him, said these winged words : 

" Ah ! unhappy man, thou hast indeed endured many evils in 
thy mind. How hast thou ventured to come alone to the ships 
of the Achasans, to the eyes of him, who has slain for thee many 520 
and gallant sons ? Iron must be thy heart. Yet come now, sit 
down upon a seat ; and we will let our sorrows repose in our 
mind, grieved although we be ; for not any use is there in sad 525 
sorrow. For so have the gods doomed miserable mortals, that 
they should live wretched ; whilst themselves are without 
care. For two vessels of gifts, such as they give, stand at the 
threshold of Jove, the one of evil, and the other of good. To 
whom Jove, the thunderer, gives, mixing, — he falls sometimes 
into evil fortune, and at others into good ; but the man to whom 530 
he gives of the bitter, he makes miserable : and a fatal calamity 
pursues him upon the blessed earth ; and he roams, honoured 

7 Alone to me — i. e. regarded above others. 



410 ILIAD XXIV.— Y. 534-574. 

neither by gods nor mortals. So also to Peleus have the gods 

535 also given their splendid gifts from his birth ; for he was con- 
spicuous among all both for happiness and wealth, for he governed 
the Myrmidons, and the gods made a goddess his wife, though he 
■ was a mortal. Yet even upon him also has the god inflicted 

540 evil, because there was not in his halls a number 8 of princely 
sons ; but one short-lived boy only he begot, nor in truth do I 
take care of him in his old age 9 ; for I sit in Troy, very far from 
my native country, causing sorrow to thee and to thy sons. 
Thou also, old man, we hear, wast once wealthy — possessing as 
much as Lesbos above, the seat of Macar, contains within it, and 

545 Phrygia below, and the boundless Hellespont. With the wealth 
of these, old man, they say that thou wert adorned, and with 
sons. But since the powers of heaven have brought this misfor- 
tune upon thee, battles and the slaughtering of men are ever 
round thy city — bear with it, nor grieve without ceasing in thy 

550 mind ; for thou wilt not profit aught, afflicting thyself for thy 
son, nor wilt thou raise him up, before thou surfer even another 
misfortune 1 ." 

And him then answered Priam, the godlike old man : " Place 
me not upon a seat, O Jove-supported prince, whilst Hector lies 

555 unburied in thy tents ; but release him as soon as possible, that 
I may see him with my eyes ; and receive thou the numerous 
presents which we bring for thee ; and mayst thou enjoy them, 
and arrive at thine own native land, since thou sufferest me first 
to live, and to behold the light of the sun." 

And to him the swift-footed Achilles, looking sternly, then 

560 said : " Stir me no more, old man ; I myself intend to restore 
thee Hector ; for the mother who bore me, the daughter of the 
aged sea-god, came to me as a messenger from Jove. And as to 
thyself, I know, O Priam, in my mind, nor does it escape me, 
that one of the gods led thee to the swift ships of the Achaeans ; 

565 for a mortal would not have ventured to come into the camp, 
not even in the vigour of youth 2 , for he could not have eluded 
the guards, nor yet pushed back the bolts of our gates. Where- 
fore now stir no more my mind already in sorrows, lest I endure 

570 thee not, old man, in my tents, though a suppliant, and violate 
the mandates of Jove." 

Thus he spake; and the old man, feared, and obeyed the 
command. And Pelides sprang like a lion from the door of the 
house — not alone, for with him followed two attendants, the hero 

s yovyj— a brood— or family. 9 Being old. 

1 i. e. sooner wilt thou suffer new misfortunes. 

2 Not even very youthful. 



ILIAD XXIV— Y. 575—617. 411 

Automedon, and Alcimus, whom Achilles honoured most of his 575 
comrades, after the death of Patroclus 3 . These then loosed the 
horses and mules from the yoke, and led in the vocal herald of 
the old man ; and placed him upon a seat. And from the well- 
polished waggon they took down the invaluable ransom of Hec- 
tor's head ; but they left two cloaks and a well-woven tunic, in 580 
order that covering the body with them, he might give it to be 
carried home. And having summoned his female domestics, he 
commanded them to wash and anoint it around, taking it up 
apart, that Priam might not behold his son ; lest, seeing his boy, 
he might not contain the anger in his sorrowing heart, and the 
soul of Achilles be stirred up, and he slay him, and violate the 585 
mandates of Jove. When then the domestics had washed and 
anointed him with oil, and thrown round him a handsome cloak, 
and a tunic, Achilles himself, raising, placed him upon a bier, 
and with his comrades lifted him upon the well-polished waggon. 590 
And then he groaned, and addressed by name his beloved com- 
panion : " Be not angry with me r O Patroclus, shouldest thou 
hear, though in Hades, that I have freed the noble Hector to his 
beloved father, since he has given me no unworthy ransom. 595 
And besides, even of these I will give thee a share, as much as 
is fitting." 

The noble Achilles said, and went back into the tent, and sat 
down on a curiously-wrought couch, whence he had risen, at the 
other 4 wall, and addressed this speech to Priam : 

" Thy son is now freed to thee, as thou hast desired, and lies 
upon a bier : and with the appearing morning thou shalt thyself 600 
see him, and take 5 him, away : but now let us think of supper ; 
for even the fair-haired Niobe was mindful of food, although 
twelve children perished in her halls, six daughters and six 
blooming sons ; these Apollo slew from his silver bow, enraged 605 
with Niobe ; and those Diana, delighting in arrows, — because, 
that is, she had deemed herself equal to the beautiful-cheeked 
Latona. She said that Latona had borne only two, but she her- 
self had borne many children ; nevertheless those, though but 
two, exterminated all these. Nine days indeed they lay in their 610 
gore, nor was there any to bury them, for the son of Saturn 
had made the people stones ; but upon the tenth day the hea- 
venly gods buried them. But still she was mindful of food, after 
she was exhausted vnth weeping. And now somewhere among 
the rocks in the desert mountain in Sipylus, where, they say, 615 
are the beds of the goddess Nymphs, who dance around the 
Acheloiis — there, though a stone, she sighs over the sorrows 

3 After Patroclus being dead. * i. <?. opposite to Priam. 6 Taking. 



412 ILIAD XXIV.— V. 61S— 658. 

sent upon her from the gods. Come then, O noble old man, let 
thou and I likewise pay attention to food, and hereafter thou 

620 mayest again weep for thy beloved son, carrying him into Troy: 
and he will be mourned by thee with many tears." 

The swift Achilles said, and, starting up, slew a white sheep, 
and his comrades skinned it, and prepared it well in the usual 
manner 6 , and then skilfully cut it in pieces 7 , transfixed them 
with spits, and carefully cooked, and pulled them all off. Then 

625 Automedon, taking bread, distributed it over the table in beau- 
tiful baskets ; and Achilles dispensed the flesh ; and they 
stretched out their hands to the prepared victuals lying before 
them. And when they had removed the desire of food and 
drink, the Dardan Priam, in truth, beheld with admiration 

630 Achilles, so great and such as he was ; for he was to look on like 
the gods ; and Achilles admired the Dardan Priam, seeing his 
good countenance, and hearing his conversation. And when 
they were satisfied with gazing at one another, Priam, the god- 
like old man, first addressed him : 

635 " Send me now to repose as soon as possible, O Jove-supported 
prince, in order that, lying down, we may now enjoy sweet sleep : 
for never have the eyes beneath my eyelids been closed, from 
the time when my boy lost his life by thy hands : but I always 

640 groan and nourish my numerous woes, prostrate in the dirt with- 
in the fences of my palace 8 . Now, however, I have both tasted 
food, and sent the sweet wine down my throat — before, certainly 
I had not tasted aught." 

He said ; and Achilles commanded his comrades and hand- 
maids to place couches under the portico, and to cast upon them 

646 beautiful purple mats, and to strew over them blankets, and to 
lay on them wollen cloaks to be drawn over all. And the mai- 
dens went out of the hall, having a torch in their hands, and, 
making haste, quickly spread two couches. And swift-footed 
Achilles, jocularly addressed him : 

650 " Lie thou now without, dear old man ; lest some prince of the 

Achseans come hither— any of those, who, sitting with me, 

always consult upon measures in the customary way. If any of 

these should see thee in the swift black night, he would imme- 

^ diately tell it to Agamemnon, shepherd of people, and there 

655 might be a delay in the liberation of the corpse. Come then, 
tell me this, and tell me truly ; how many days dost thou desire 
to employ in performing the obsequies of noble Hector, that so 
long I may myself remain quiet, and restrain the people ?" 

6 Skinned it, and attended to it well, according to order. 

7 i. e. no joints — as a butcher would say. 8 Hall. 



ILIAD XXIV.— Y. 659-696. 413 

And him answered then Priam, the godlike old man : " If thou 
be now willing that I celebrate the funeral of noble Hector, — so 660 
doing, O Achilles, thou wilt do me a favour. For thou knowest 
how we are shut up within the city, and the wood is far off to 
fetch it from the mountain ; and the Trojans are greatly afraid. 
Nine days will we lament him in our halls, and on the tenth we 665 
will bury him, and the people shall feast, and upon the eleventh 
we will erect a tomb for him ; and on the twelfth we will fight, 
if there be a necessity.' 7 

And him the swift- footed Achilles again addressed : " And 
these things shall be to thee, O aged Priam, as thou desirest : 
for I will stop the war as long a time as thou biddest me." 670 

Thus having spoken, he grasped the right hand of the old man 
at the wrist, — that he might not fear in his mind. Then the 
herald and Priam went to recline there in the vestibule of the 
house, having many cares in their hearts : and Achilles slept in 675 
the interior of the well-built tent, and beside him lay the beau- 
tiful-cheeked BriseTs. 

The rest of the gods, and the warriors, who fight from char- 
iots, reposed all night, overcome with soft sleep ; but sleep 
occupied not good Mercury, revolving in his mind how he should 680 
send out king Priam from the fleet 9 , without the knowledge of 
the sacred warders 1 . And he stood over his head, and addressed 
to him this speech : 

■" Old man, thou hast now no thought of evil — so 2 thou still 
sleepest among hostile warriors, because Achilles has left thee 
unharmed. And now thou hast ransomed thy beloved son, and 6S* 
hast given many things : yet the sons which are left behind to 
thee would have to give three times as many ransoms for thee 
alive 3 , should Agamemnon, son of Atreus, know thee, and all the 
Achasans recognise thee." 

Thus he spake ; and the old man feared, and roused the herald. 
And for them Mercury then yoked the horses and mules, -and 690 
quickly drove them himself through the camp, nor did any one 
know it. 

And when they now reached the ford 4 of the fair-flowing 
river, the eddying Xanthus, to which immortal Jove gave birth, 
then Mercury departed to lofty Olympus; and the saffron-veiled 
morning diffused over the whole earth. And they drove the 695 
horses towards the city, with groaning and lamentation, and the 

9 The ships. ■ The keepers of the gates. 2 i. e. with such confidence. 

3 i. e. they would seize thee, and thy sons would have to ransom thee at a still 
higher price. 

4 i. e. the point where there was a ford — it does not appear that they crossed it. 



414 ILIAD XXIV.— V. 697—736. 

mules bore the corpse ; nor did any other of the men and beau- 
tiful-zoned women previously know it ; but Cassandra, resem- 

700 bling golden Venus, ascending the Pergamus, recognised her 
beloved father standing in the car, and the herald who cried 
through the .city 5 . Him (Hector) also she beheld upon the 
mules, lying on the bier : and then she shrieked, and exclaimed 
through the whole city : 

" Go, Trojans and Trojan women, and you will see Hector, if 

705 ever ye rejoiced even for him returning alive from battle : for 
he was a great joy to the city and to the whole state." 

Thus she spake ; nor was there then any man left in the city, 
or woman; for intolerable grief came upon all ; and they crowded 
near the gates to meet him (Priam), bringing in the corpse. 

710 And for him his wife and venerable mother, first rushing to the 
well- wheeled waggon, tore out their hair, embracing his head ; 
and the people stood around, weeping. And surely now for the 
whole day till sunset would they have mourned before the gates, 

715 weeping for Hector, had not the old man addressed the people 
from his chariot : 

" Give me way, to pass through with the mules ; and ye shall 
afterwards indulge your weeping, when I have carried him 
home." 

Thus he spake ; and they stood apart, and made way for the 
waggon. And when they had brought him into the noble man- 

720 sion, they then laid him upon splendid 6 couches, and stationed 
beside him the leaders of funeral dirges, who then chanted a 
mournful strain, and the women also groaned in addition. And 
white-armed Andromache began the lamentation among them, 
holding between her hands the head of Hector the man-slayer : 

725 " O my husband, thou hast fallen from life a youth, and leavest 
me a widow in our halls. Thine infant boy too thus, whom 
thou and I, ill-fated, produced — nor do I think he will reach the 
years of youth ; for before that will this city be overthrown 
from its summit. For thou, indeed, its guardian, hast perished, 

730 who didst defend it, and protect its chaste wives and infant 
children — they (the women) now will be soon carried away in 
the hollow ships, and I also among them. Thou, again, my child 
wilt either follow me myself, where thou shalt toila* some dis- 
graceful works, labouring for an ungentle master 7 : or some one 

735 of the Achaaans, seizing thee by the hand, shall cast thee, en- 
raged, from a tower, to a bitter death — one of whom perchance 

5 i. e. whose business it is to cry through the city — to assemble the citizens to 
council. 

6 Perforated, probably of net-work. 7 King. 



ILIAD XXIY.— V. 737—775. 415 

Hector slew, a brother, or a father, or even a son — since by the 
hands of Hector very many of the Acha?ans grasped the vast 
earth 8 with their teeth. For thy father was not gentle 9 in the 
bitter fight ; and therefore do the people mourn him throughout 740 
the city. But thou hast caused execrable woe and sorrow to 
thy parents, O Hector : and to me, most, severe sorrows are 
left. For thou didst not stretch out thine hands to me from the 
bed when dying ; nor speak any wise word, of which I might 
be ever mindful, when weeping nights and days." 745 

Thus she spake, mourning ; and then the women also groaned; 
and Hecuba, in turn ; began among them her vehement lamenta- 
tion : 

u O Hector, far the dearest to my soul of all my sons — whilst 
alive, indeed, thou wert beloved by the gods, and they in truth 
have taken care of thee, even in the condition of death. For 750 
the rest of my sons, whichever he took, the swift-footed Achilles 
sold beyond the unfruitful sea, in Samos, and in Imbrus, and the 
inhospitable 1 Lemnos. But from thee when he had taken away 
the life with his long-pointed spear, he frequently dragged thee 755 
round the tomb of his own comrade Patroclus, whom thou didst 
slay ; but not thus did he raise him up. And now thou liest for 
me in the halls, dewy and fresh 2 , like to one whom Apollo of 
the silver bow, attacking, has slain with his own gentle 3 wea- 
pons/' 

Thus she spake, weeping ; and raised a violent lamentation. 760 
Next Helen, the third, began her wail among them : 

li O Hector, far the dearest to my soul of my brothers-in-law 
— for indeed the godlike Paris is my husband, who brought me 
to Troy ; and Oh ! that I had perished first. For now is this 
the twentieth 4 year to me, from the time that I came from 765 
thence and quitted my native land ; and never did I hear from 
thee an evil or reproachful word : and if any other of my hus- 
band's brothers, or his sister's husbands, or beautifully-robed 
wives of his brothers, upbraided me in these halls, or my mother- 770 
in-law (for my father-in-law was always kind as a father) — him 
then admonishing with words, didst thou check with thy gen- 
tleness and thy gentle words. Wherefore grieving in my heart, 
I wail at once for thee, and for my unhappy self; for there is no 
other tender and kind to me in wide Troy j but all detest me." 775 

s atfffSrov — a general expression for the earth — God's earth. 

9 1. e. was unsparing. ] Without a harbour. 2 As if just killed. 

3 Mild — for a swift death is without pain. 

4 The Achaeans were ten years in collecting, and remained ten years at the 



416 ILIAD XXIV.— Y. 776-804. 

Thus she spake, weeping ; and again the unnumbered crowd 
groaned. And aged Priam delivered this speech among the 
people : 

" Ye Trojans, bring wood now to the city, nor at all fear in 

your mind a close ambuscade of Argives ; for Achilles thus sure- 

780 ly promised, sending me away from the black ships, that he 

would not commence hostilities, before the twelfth morning 

should arrive." 

Thus he spake ; and they yoked the oxen and mules to the 
waggons ; and immediately after assembled in front of the city. 
Nine days indeed they brought in immense quantities of wood, 
7S5 but when at length the tenth morning had appeared, bringing 
light upon mortals, then also they, weeping, bore out the gallant 
Hector, and laid the corpse upon the high funeral pile, and cast 
in the iire. 

And when the early -born, rosy-fingered morn appeared, then 
were the people assembled round the pile of the illustrious 
790 Hector. And when they assembled, and were collected together, 
first indeed they extinguished all the pile, as much as the force 
of the fire had occupied, with dark wine ; and then his brothers 
and comrades gathered his white bones, mourning, and hot tears 
795 poured down their cheeks. And taking them, they placed them 
in a golden urn, covering it with fine purple robes, and present- 
ly laid it in a hollow grave ; and then strewed it above with 
many large stones. The tomb, however, they hastily threw up, 
whilst spies sat round in every direction, lest the well-armed 
S00 Achaeans should too soon make an assault. And after heaping 
up the tomb, they returned again ; and then assembling in order 
together, they partook of a splendid feast in the mansions of 
Priam, Jove-supported king. 

Thus they celebrated the funeral of Hector, the tamer of 
steeds. 



THE END. 



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